The American College Women’s Soccer Players Signing Pro in Europe

February 22, 2024
By Kayleigh Toney

Players coming out of college have a lot of options when it comes to signing a professional contract. With limited roster spots in the NWSL, there have been quite a few players this offseason that have signed in Europe. We take a look at some of those players below.

Eleanor Dale – Everton

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Dale was a star forward at Nebraska. The England native scored 44 goals in 65 games for the Huskers with 28 of those goals coming in her senior season. In 2023, she was named the Big Ten Forward of the Year and was the leading goal scorer in college soccer. She signed with Everton in February during the transfer window. She has yet to make her appearance for Everton as she’s still getting used to the team, but when she does start to get playing time, she’ll be a massive scoring threat for the WSL side.

Julia Leas – Vittsjö GIK Hässleholm (Sweden)

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At Georgetown, Leas started all 100 games she appeared in. During her five years with the Hoyas, she tallied 16 goals and 16 assists. She was named the Big East Defensive Player of the Year and was a MAC Hermann trophy semifinalist in 2022 and 2023. Leas signed her first professional contract in February with a club in the Damallsvenskan, the Swedish league. The season is set to begin in April.

Eva Gaetino – Paris St. Germain

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Gaetino was a terrific defender during her time at Notre Dame. She appeared in 76 matches for the Fighting Irish, starting all but one. During the 2023 season, she helped lead Notre Dame to a 12-4-4 record. She was named the ACC Defender of the Year in 2022 and 2023. She also represents the USWNT at the youth level with the U23 squad. Gaetino will be in a great environment at PSG, and she could be a name that we have heard for a long time. Gaetano now plays alongside Notre Dame teammate and recent USWNT call-up Korbin Albert.

Talia and Tori DellaPeruta – Sampdoria (Italy)

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Talia was a midfielder at North Carolina, appearing in 66 matches and scoring 11 goals while registering six assists in four years. Tori is the younger of the two DellaPeruta sisters, and the forward only spent two years with the Tar Heels. In 40 games, she scored eight goals and tallied five assists. In 2022, Tori spent a season with Pomigliano C.F. in Italy, a club in Serie A. Now the sisters are playing professionally in Italy with Sampdoria in Serie A.

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Jordyn Rhodes – Tindastóll (Iceland)

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Rhodes spent five seasons with Kentucky, playing in 85 games and scoring 45 goals while tallying 14 assists. She’s the all-time leading scorer for the Wildcats and, in 2023, was named to the First Team All-SEC. The forward is beginning her professional career in Iceland after signing a professional contract with Tindastóll in January.

Olivia Garcia – HB Køge (Denmark)

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Garcia spent two years at Florida State and is forgoing the rest of her eligibility to begin her professional career. She signed a contract with HB Køge in February. During her time with the Seminoles, she made 38 appearances, scoring seven goals and tallying seven assists. She helped lead Florida State to the National Championship in 2023.