ORLANDO, Fla. (Aug. 18, 2020) - Orlando Pride defender Emily Sonnett will join Swedish club Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC, it was announced today, with the U.S. Women’s National Team federation player set to play in the Damallsvenskan through November 2020 when the league enters its midway point break.
In addition, midfielder Jade Moore will be loaned to Spanish side Atlético Madrid. Moore will join the Primera División side immediately, with the loan set to expire on Feb. 15, 2021 and the Pride holding the right to recall.
Sonnett joined the Pride this past offseason via a trade that sent the top-overall pick in the 2020 NWSL College Draft to her former club, Portland Thorns FC. The 26-year-old defender was drafted first overall by the Thorns in the 2016 NWSL College Draft and has since totaled 72 appearances in regular season play, starting all but one, scoring six goals while adding two assists.
This will mark the first time Sonnett has played outside of the NWSL since the 2017-18 offseason, when she went on loan to Sydney FC in Australia's Westfield W-League, while also serving as her first stint in Europe.
Moore, 29, was acquired by the Pride this past April, signing a one-year deal with an option for an additional year. In order to execute the loan, the Pride have exercised Moore’s option for the 2021 NWSL season.
The English international joined the Pride from Reading FC Women of England’s FA Women’s Super League (FAWSL), where she totaled 54 appearances while scoring eight goals since joining the club in 2017. Prior to that she played for Notts County on a short-term deal, registering eight appearances before the club folded in 2017. From 2011-16, Moore featured for Birmingham City, the former club of Orlando Pride Head Coach Marc Skinner.
Due to the Pride’s withdrawal from the NWSL Challenge Cup, neither Sonnett nor Moore has yet to make an appearance for Orlando. Göteborg FC is currently sitting atop the Damallsvenskan and Atlético in second place in the Primera División. Fellow Pride defender Ali Riley is also in Sweden, on loan with second place FC Rosengård.
