KANSAS CITY, Kan. - The Kansas City Current announced today that Lynn Williams, U.S. Women’s National Team forward, and 2016 NWSL MVP, has joined the club.
As part of this trade with the North Carolina Courage, Kansas City also receives North Carolina’s natural second round and natural fourth round picks in the 2023 NWSL Draft. In exchange, the Courage receive $200,000 in allocation funds, Kansas City’s natural first round pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft and goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland.
“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Lynn to the Current,” said co-owner Chris Long. “Without question, she is one of the most talented forwards in the world. Lynn is a game-changer who has proven herself to be a dominant player in the NWSL and on the world stage. Kansas City is going to absolutely love watching her play.”
Williams is one of the most decorated forwards in NWSL history. She becomes the fourth player on Kansas City’s roster to win at least three NWSL Championships, joining Sam Mewis, Kristen Hamilton and Adrianna Franch. She was the 2016 Golden Boot winner and Regular Season MVP. Her 57 career goals and 26 career assists rank second all-time in NWSL history.
“The Courage has given so much to me and has been my home for the last 5 years, but in order to grow you have to challenge yourself and get out of your comfort zone,” said Williams. “I am grateful to KC for giving me the opportunity to do so. I’m excited for a new journey, with a new organization and to grow into the best Lynn I can be”
Drafted sixth overall by the Western New York Flash out of Pepperdine University in 2015, Williams hit her stride in the 2016 season, starting 19 games and scoring a league-high 11 goals. She was named to the NWSL Best XI and earned the Regular Season MVP as she helped the Flash advance to the NWSL Championship, where she scored three goals and converted a penalty kick to lead the Flash to the title.
Williams made her U.S. Women’s National Team debut in the second half of a 2016 friendly against Switzerland. It took only 49 seconds for the Fresno, California native to score her first international goal as she led the way to a 4-0 victory. She has 45 caps for the U.S. with 14 international goals and 10 assists.
“It was important for us to get a proven goal scorer this off season. Lynn Williams is simply one of the very best strikers in the world,” said Director of Soccer Operations Huw Williams. “We are absolutely thrilled to add such a talented player to our club. We could not be happier.”
Williams has spent the past month on loan with Melbourne Victory of the Australian A-League. She has scored three goals and an assist in her four matches.
Katelyn Rowland came to Kansas City as part of a midseason trade with the Courage. She appeared in four games for Kansas City with 12 saves. She now returns to North Carolina where she won three NWSL Championships.
“Everyone within our organization wishes Katelyn nothing but the best as she returns home to Raleigh,” said Huw Williams. “She will be missed.”