ORLANDO, Fla. – Dec. 10, 2015 – Orlando Pride has acquired Australian Women’s National Team defender Stephanie-Elise Catley from the Portland Thorns in exchange for goalkeeper Adrianna Franch and a third-round pick (No. 21 overall) in the 2016 NWSL College Draft, the team announced today.
The Pride also announced the signing of Franch prior to the subsequent trade that will send her to Portland. Per Club and league rules, additional details were not disclosed.
“Stephanie will be a great addition to our inaugural NWSL season,” said head coach Tom Sermanni. “She is a promising young defender who has already amassed over 80 appearances at the professional level.”
Catley joins Orlando after spending the past two seasons with Portland Thorns FC, along with lethal striker Alex Morgan – Orlando Pride’s primary forward.
After arriving to Portland from the Melbourne Victory midway through the 2014 campaign, Catley appeared in 14 regular season NWSL matches, establishing a club record for assists in consecutive games (4). In addition, Catley was selected as Thorn FC’s Newcomer of the Year.
In 2015, the defender appeared in three matches with Portland before moving to newly formed Australian W-League club Melbourne City FC on loan.
Catley has earned 41 caps for the Australian National Team, starting against the United States, Nigeria, Sweden and Brazil in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Off the field, Catley was chosen to appear on the cover of EA Sports FIFA 16 in Australia.
Transaction: Orlando Pride Acquires Stephanie-Elise Catley
Name: Stephanie-Elise Catley
Height: 5’7”
Date of Birth: 01/26/1994
Birthplace: Melbourne, Australia
Citizenship: Australia
Twitter: @stephcatley
