SEATTLE REIGN FC SIGNS DUTCH FORWARD MANON MELIS
Seattle Reign FC has signed Dutch international forward Gabriëlla “Manon” Melis. Melis will be joining Reign FC prior to the start of the 2016 season, pending receipt of her P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC).
Per team and league policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.
Melis, 29, most recently played for Göteborg FC of the Swedish Damallsvenskan. Through two seasons, the Dutch international has been a powerhouse on the attack, appearing in 42 matches — all starts — and scoring 25 goals.
“Manon is a fantastic talent who will bring something new to our attack next season,” said general manager and head coach Laura Harvey. “We’re thrilled to have a player with her experience and consistent record of success at the highest levels of club and international football join our club next season.”
Prior to her time with Göteborg FC, Melis played for LdB FC Malmö (now FC Rosengård) where she made 124 appearances with the Swedish side and scored 95 goals. In both 2010 and 2011, Melis was the leading scorer in the Damallsvenskan, winning awards for top footballer and top forward in 2010. Throughout her time with LdB FC Malmö, Melis helped the team to three Damallsvenskan league titles in 2010, 2011 and 2013 and was the top scorer in 2008.
The forward also played for Linköpings FC for one season between 2012–2013, after a move to Sky Blue FC in Women’s Professional Soccer league fell through due to the WPS suspending operations. With Linköpings FC, Melis tallied 16 goals in 21 appearances.
The Rotterdam, Netherlands native is also a member of the Netherlands Women’s National Team. Since her first cap in 2004, Melis has amassed 132 appearances and is the all-time leading scorer for her country with 55 goals. She also took part in the first appearance in a World Cup for the Netherlands, advancing to the Round of 16 during the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada, before falling 2–1 to Japan.
“I’m looking forward to playing for Seattle Reign — it is going to be a big challenge to play in the NWSL,” said Melis about her signing with Reign FC.