Carli Lloyd Signs Short-Term Deal with Manchester City

FIFA Women’s Player of the Year and Ayumi Kaihori nightmare fuel Carli Lloyd is taking herself down to Manchester City where the grass is green and her goals will look pretty. That’s the plan, anyway, as Lloyd leaves the Houston Dash for the Women’s Super League One, which run its Spring Series from April to June. She will then return to the Dash following the conclusion of play.

The midfielder with 96 goals in 232 international appearances is joining the Champions League for the first time, having played her entire career stateside. If City get past their quarterfinal opponent Fortuna Hjorring, she may even get to play against fellow national team star Alex Morgan—who signed with Olympique Lyon on a similar short-term deal—if Lyon also advance to the semifinals. Lloyd, 34, is “relishing” the fulfillment of a “long-held ambition,” but according to the BBC she also sees the short-term contract as an opportunity to promote American footie under a Union Jack-ed pitch.

“It is going to be fun to be able to play a few months with some of these players and get a better understanding of how this league operates. I can help promote the [American] NWSL and help see how they run things here and make our league back home a bit better as well.”

Good luck across the pond, Carli. Send word if you seal anymore 13:00 hat tricks from 54-yards out. Never forget, Kaihori!