Alex Loera becomes the first player to join NWSL expansion club Bay FC, arriving via trade from the Kansas City Current.
The 24-year-old defensive midfielder won the 2020 NCAA championship during her college career with Santa Clara, and she is thrilled to return to the Bay Area, she told reporters Wednesday. Bay FC cofounders Brandi Chastain, Aly Wagner, Danielle Slaton and Leslie Osborne also played for Santa Clara before starring for the USWNT.
“As soon as I heard that Bay FC could be a potential team in the league, I was so excited,” Loera said. “I was like, ‘Yep, I’m going to end up back here at some point.’ … So I am so excited. I cannot wait.”
Bay FC is set to start play in 2024, and Loera’s contract runs through 2025.
The Current received $175,000 in allocation funds and protection from Bay FC in the NWSL expansion draft on Dec. 15 in exchange for Loera. Bay FC and the Utah Royals will have the opportunity to select up to 12 players through the 12-round expansion draft, but the Current and the Orlando Pride already have acquired protection from Bay FC.
Bay FC general manager Lucy Rushton acknowledged that the team is excited to find a player with “Bay Area ties.” She also sees Loera as the perfect player with which the team can begin to build its roster.
“Alex is a competitor,” Rushton said. “She’s a winner, and she’s a leader in how she plays. So as a founding piece of our team, she really does epitomize everything that we’re looking for.”
THE WAIT IS OVER.Bay FC signs its first player in Club history, @alexisaloera! 🫧NEWS: https://t.co/Ipe3iUAWCe#BayFC #WeCameToPlay pic.twitter.com/E2vzcw36AT— Bay Football Club (@wearebayfc) November 15, 2023
THE WAIT IS OVER.Bay FC signs its first player in Club history, @alexisaloera! 🫧NEWS: https://t.co/Ipe3iUAWCe#BayFC #WeCameToPlay pic.twitter.com/E2vzcw36AT