NEW YORK — Sky Blue FC has signed Brazilian midfielder Francisca Gabriela Morais da Rocha, better known as Gabi, ahead of the start of the 2019 NWSL season, the club announced Monday. The player is still awaiting receipt of her International Transfer Certificate and P1 visa.
Gabi joins Sky Blue from EC Iranduba da Amazônia in the Brazilian top flight after making only five appearances for the team in 2018. The 25-year-old has spent the majority of her career in her native Brazil, minus a two-year spell at Portuguese side SC Braga.
Additionally, Gabi is on the Brazilian national team bubble, having recently participated in the team’s World Cup residency camp earlier this year. She was a youth international for Brazil and was part of Brazil’s squad for the 2014 U-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada, though that team did not advance out of the group.
Sky Blue head coach Denise Reddy said in a statement that she sees Gabi “being a huge asset for us this year.” Reddy also called Gabi “a very versatile player with great technique, which makes her attacking qualities so much more dangerous.”
Gabi joins a mix of signings from the draft and players acquired via trade as part of the newcomers to Sky Blue this season. Namely, she and Japanese forward Nahomi Kawasumi, who was traded from Reign FC in January, mark part of the team’s attempt to improve on last season’s tally of 21 goals in 24 games.
Sky Blue opens its season at the Washington Spirit on Saturday, April 13.
Welcome Gabi to Sky Blue FC!
Details: https://t.co/bqz3TTnB3z pic.twitter.com/OfKY6iImZr
— Gotham FC (@GothamFC) April 8, 2019