GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JUNE 22: #3 Osinachi Ohale of Nigeria thanks the fans after the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France Round Of 16 match between Germany and Nigeria at Stade des Alpes on June 22, 2019 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Zhizhao Wu/Getty Images)

Less than a week after losing 9-1 to rivals FC Barcelona in their Liga Iberdrola debut, CD Tacon have signed defender Osinachi Ohale.

Real Madrid’s women’s team, CD Tacon, had a rough start to their inaugural Liga Iberdrola campaign, falling 9-1 in the Women’s Clasico against Barcelona. Though the scoreline was perhaps more exaggerated than expected, Tacon’s first league game was more about the experience than anything else, and there were some bright takeaways like the play of new signing Sofia Jakobsson and Yohana’s work in goal.

But Tacon showed some weaknesses defensively, particularly when it came to passing out of the back, against a star-studded team boasting global stars like Caroline Graham Hansen and Jenni Hermoso. To bolster their defense, CD Tacon have signed an experienced and versatile player in Osinachi Ohale.

The 27-year-old is joining Tacon from Vaxjo DFF in the Swedish top flight, where she’s played since the start of the 2018 season. Prior to Vaxjo, Ohale played at Vittsjo GIK in the same league.

Ohale has experience with the NWSL’s Houston Dash, played for the Nigerian side that won the 2010 and 2014 African Women’s Championship tournaments, and even made two World Cup squads in 2011 and 2015.

Since Ohale can play at different positions, including out wide or as a defensive midfielder, but she’ll most likely feature as a center back. That’s where she’s familiar playing, and that’s where Tacon truly need her.

Tacon’s result against Barcelona is meaningless over the course of the season, but they will need to pick up points against teams that aren’t among the Champions League favorites. Ohale will help add the quality and experience that Tacon’s defense needs.

Recently, Ohale had a clearance that helped set up a goal in the Olympic qualifying game against Algeria. The scorer of the goal? Barcelona’s star forward Asisat Oshoala.

The future certainly looks bright for CD Tacon, and it will be exciting to see how Ohale’s leadership and steady hand at center back improves this growing team.