Manchester City Women have signed United States international, Abby Dahlkemper from North Carolina Courage until June 2023.
Dahlkemper is the third US international to sign for Man City this season after Rose Lavelle and Sam Mewis made the switch during pre-season from OL Reign and North Carolina Courage respectively.
Speaking on how “excited” she is to join a top club in Man City, Dahlkemper said; “It’s a world-class club full of incredible players and I can’t wait to get started.”
On her expectations in the Women’s Super League and Women’s Champions League, Dahlkemper feels that every game will bring “a new challenge” plus “opportunity to grow both as a player and as a person in England…”
Dahlkemper spoke to Lavelle and Mewis ahead of her move with both players providing “brilliant” feedback about City, influencing her decision to sign, saying; “… hearing them speak so highly about the facilities, the staff and the players as well as their experience of a new technical and tactical challenge is something that was really appealing to me.”
Dahlkemper’s previous clubs include Adelaide United and Western New York Flash before she signed for North Carolina Courage in 2017, where she went on to lift the NWSL title in 2018 and 2019.
City Women’s Manager, Gareth Taylor is “delighted” to secure Dahlkemper, describing the 27 year-old as a “very talented defender” who has achieved success across club and international football.
Taylor also spoke of Dahlkemper’s “desire and hunger for victory,” fitting the club’s team ethics “perfectly”.
Man City Women’s Managing Director, Gavin Makel is also “delighted” to secure Dahlkemper, pointing to her “… wealth of experience and knowledge of what it takes to be successful at the very top” as a quality aspect of what fans can expect.
What Does Dahlkemper’s Arrival Mean For City’s Defence?
Dahlkemper’s arrival now raises questions concerning City’s defence with nine defenders now on the wage bill, indicating that one or two exits could potentially be on the cards.
Captain, Steph Houghton is expected to remain alongside Lucy Bronze and Alex Greenwood, of who both joined from Lyon in the summer and have made the most appearances alongside Houghton.
Demi Stokes and Gemma Bonner are also unlikely to depart whereas Aoife Mannion is currently absent as she recovers from a knee injury, all but ruling her out of an exit which leaves Megan Campbell and Esme Morgan as potential departures if Taylor looks to shake up his back lines.
Morgan however is only 20 years-old but has been a valuable substitute so a loan switch could be possible, if Taylor prefers for her to go out and gain first-team experience elsewhere in WSL with regular game time.
Campbell meanwhile has struggled with injury in the last 12 months but signed a new contract in June, making a loan move one potential option before the transfer window shuts, should Campbell want regular game time this season.
Taylor however could simply be looking to boost competition for starting spots in defence with Dahlkemper’s signing, which would certainly force current players to up their game if want to start matches in the coming months.
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