Yahoo Sports City secure Kerolin Nicoli signature
Manchester City are delighted to confirm the signing of Kerolin Nicoli.
The 25-year-old forward joins from National Women’s Soccer League club North Carolina Courage, after signing a deal which will keep her at the Joie Stadium until the summer of 2028.
The Brazilian international has 45 national team caps to her name and joins City following a hugely successful spell in the US.
She was named the first-ever South American NWSL Most Valuable Player in 2023, after helping North Carolina Courage to the Challenge Cup that year and the during the term before.
WATCH: Kerolin is a Blue!
Kerolin Nicoli will wear the number 14 shirt and becomes City’s third January signing following the arrival of Rebecca Knaak and Aemu Oyama.
She's available for selection in Wednesday's League Cup clash against Manchester United.
Speaking about the move, she said: “I’m so excited to be here. I think there were a lot of reasons why I chose City and one of those was to play in the Champions League.
“I think the players [in the WSL] are really technical and the team is compact. I want to be better, to learn different things, to come here to be challenged and also play against the defenders who will play in the next World Cup in Brazil in 2027.
“I’m really excited to be part of the team. I have so much confidence, but I know I need to keep working hard to be great here.
WATCH: Kerolin hungry to impress at City
"There will be some differences between here and where I’ve played before, but I’m really excited.”
Manchester City Women Director of Football Therese Sjogran added: “Kerolin comes to Manchester City with a wealth of experience under her belt at just 25 – as a fully-fledged international, an Olympian, and MVP – with a real desire and hunger to take her game to the next level.
“Kerolin is creative, quick, and will add even more firepower to our forward line.
"We have a shared ambition to be the best not only in England but also in Europe, and we are delighted to have been able to bring her to Manchester.”
Difference-maker
“I want to try to become the best player in the world.”
It’s some statement of intent from City’s newest recruit, but one that should be greeted with tremendous excitement by anyone of a Blue persuasion.
Because despite being just 25, Kerolin’s already been there and done it at both club and international level.
The forward is already nearing 50 appearances for Brazil despite her age after making her debut as an 18-year-old against England in 2018.
Four years later she started every game of Selecao’s march to Copa America glory, before helping her national team claim a silver medal at last summer’s Olympic Games.
Brazil were beaten 1-0 by the United States in the final but Kerolin, returning to action after recovering from an Anterior Cruciate Ligament rupture, would grab a goal in a memorable semi-final win over World Champions Spain.
She’s reached similarly impressive heights at club level during her time in the NWSL, becoming the first South American to be named the league’s Most Valuable Player, achieved after her exploits in 2023.
Only Golden Boot winner Sophia Smith bettered her tally of 10 goals in 19 regular season games across a campaign in which she helped North Carolina Courage retain the Challenge Cup.
In both that final against Racing Louisville and the year prior against Washington Spirit, Kerolin grabbed the opening goal.
It’s an impressive CV from a player still looking to reach new heights in her career, with England and, more specifically, City the destination she feels will make that ambition a reality.
Blessed with searing pace and clever movement in the box, Kerolin’s quality on the ball and ability to go on either foot make her a defender’s nightmare, whether operating as a centre forward or from either a wider or deeper position.
In short, City have secured a genuine difference-maker; a forward capable of playing the role of architect or executioner in equal measure.
An exciting career at the Joie Stadium beckons.
