Kansas City Current add Brazilian defender who’s currently playing in FIFA World Cup

Daniel Sperry
·2 min read
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As Brazil’s women’s soccer players took the field against Panama on Monday for their opening World Cup match, two Kansas City Current players were wearing the colors of the South American nation.

Everyone knows about Debinha, but there was suddenly another player who’d be coming back to Kansas City after Brazil concludes its run in Australia and New Zealand.

The Current on Monday acquired young star defender Lauren Eduarda Leal Costa — better known as Lauren.

She started as a center-back in Brazil’s dominant 4-0 Monday victory over the Panamanian team. Her contract runs through the 2024 season, with an option for 2025.

Lauren’s contract with her most recent club, Madrid Club de Futbol Femenino (Madrid CFF), was set to expire after next season ... but she was also on the North Carolina Courage’s “discovery list,” meaning KC will have to compensate its fellow NWSL side.

According to a source with knowledge of the deal’s parameters, the Current will send $100,000 in allocation money and a 2024 international slot to the Courage in exchange for Lauren’s exclusive rights.

Lauren started her professional career with São Paulo in 2020 and 2021, making a total of 27 appearances. She moved last season to Madrid, where she made 27 appearances as her new team finished fifth in the Spanish women’s Primerà Divsión.

Lauren scored one goal for Madrid CFF. She’s also accumulated six appearances with the Brazilian senior national team during her brief time as a pro. And she appeared in 21 games for Brazil at the U-17 and U-20 levels.

This is the second transaction the Current have made during the secondary transfer window. Earlier this month, they added Stine Ballisager, who plays for Denmark. Like Lauren, she’s a central defender who is playing in the World Cup.

While the Current didn’t need to ship a player out of town in exchange for Lauren, their roster is now at max capacity — 27, with three on league’s season-ending injury list.

Claire Lavogez is eventually expected return from that list.