ORLANDO, Fla. (December 19, 2016) – Orlando Pride has signed Brazilian defender Camila Martins Pereira for their second National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season, the Club announced today. Camila will join the Pride pending receipt of her P-1 visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC). Per team and league policies, details of the contract were not disclosed.
Known as Camila, the defender joins the Pride after appearing with Brazilian side Tiradentes last season. Prior to that, she played the 2015 season with NWSL opponent Houston Dash. With the Dash, the São Grande de Sul native made 12 appearances, including six starts, totaling seven shots.
“Camila is exactly the type of player we are looking to bring to the Pride,” Orlando Pride Head Coach Tom Sermanni said. “She is a young, dynamic and versatile player who we believe will be a valuable asset to our team. We’re excited to bring someone with her skill and potential to the Club.”
Listed as a defender, the 22-year-old also has the ability to play on the wing.
"I am really happy to become a member of the Pride family. As soon as Orlando was announced as an expansion team, I knew I wanted to become a part of it and the wonderful city,” Camila said. “I know the team is still young, but I hope that I can help bring a championship to both the Club and the fans. I look forward to helping the Pride in any way I can, inside and outside the lines."
Camila made her professional debut at age 18 with Kindermann, where she scored five goals from 2012-15. She later helped Ferroviária to a second-place finish in the 2015 Copa de Brasil.
In the international arena, Camila was a member of Brazil’s 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup side, making three starts and playing all 180 minutes of the group stage.
The Pride will begin play in Orlando City SC’s new downtown soccer stadium in April 2017. Season tickets for the 2017 campaign are currently available at orlando-pride.com or by calling (855) ORL-CITY.
Camila Martins Pereira
Position: Defender
Height: 5-3
Born: October 10, 1994 in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Hometown: São Bento do Sul, Brazil
Citizenship: Brazil College: n/a
Acquired: via Discovery on December 19, 2016
