Catarina Macario has inked a contract with Chelsea Women until 2026; she became the first American to score in a Women’s Champions League final with her goal against Barcelona in 2022 final; Macario was sidelined with an ACL injury during the 2017-18 season.
The 23-year-old will formally join the club on July 1, after competing in France’s Division 1 Feminine for the past two seasons.
With her goal against Barcelona in the 2022 Women’s Champions League final, Macario became the first American to score in a Women’s Champions League final. Her goal helped Lyon win another European championship. In the same season, she was instrumental in assisting the team win the league championship, scoring 23 goals in 33 games.
She spent the 2022/23 season recuperating from an ACL injury, which will also cause her to miss this summer’s Women’s World Cup.
It follows the summer departures of Pernille Harder and Magda Eriksson, who both joined Bayern Munich.
Macario stated on the club’s website following her transfer, “I cannot wait to get started here. I’m thrilled to have signed with Chelsea, and I expect to represent the team well over the coming years.
“I can play either as a No. 10 or a more traditional No. 9, and I’m excited to link up with so many excellent forward players, including Sam [Kerr], Lauren James, and Guro [Reiten]. It will be enjoyable to perform with Kadeisha Buchanan once more.
