A vital figure for the United States national team since 2017, the midfielder makes the move to the Academy Stadium after four seasons in the National Women’s Soccer League, following in the footsteps of international teammate Sam Mewis who joined the Club earlier this month.
Fast approaching a half century of caps for her country and boasting 12 goals from midfield, Lavelle is one of the team’s brightest stars.
Last summer, she won the Bronze Ball at the World Cup in France and scored in the 2-0 Final victory over the Netherlands, as the Stars and Stripes clinched the trophy for the fourth time.
Ahead of the upcoming 2020/21 Barclays FA Women’s Super League season, Lavelle has put pen to paper with City and will wear the number 21 shirt.
Speaking about her move, she said: “I’m so excited to join Manchester City and I can’t wait to play alongside some really talented players.
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity of playing in England and competing in the Champions League.
“After talking with Gareth [Taylor] about the team and how he saw me fitting in, it seemed like a great environment that would really push and develop me as a player.
“I’ve heard amazing things about the Club and it just felt like a really good fit overall. I want to challenge myself and feel that Manchester City is the perfect environment to do so and hopefully, I’ll find some success along the way.”
Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Lavelle played collegiately at the University of Wisconsin before stints with Boston Breakers and Washington Spirit, where she was #1 pick in the NWSL College Draft and Dispersal Draft respectively.
Moving to Washington Spirit in 2018, she immediately impressed for the DC area outfit and was consequently awarded a place in the 2019 National Women’s Soccer League Best XI and 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup Best XI.
Internationally, Lavelle began representing her homeland at Under-18 level in 2013 and won the Golden Ball at the 2014 CONCACAF Women’s U20 Championship before leading the team at the 2014 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup, where she scored once and had two assists.
She was handed her debut for the senior side against England in the SheBelieves Cup in March 2017 and has since gone on to savour silverware success with the 2018 Tournament of Nations, 2018 CONCACAF Women’s Championship, 2019 World Cup and 2020 SheBelieves Cup earlier this year.
Head Coach Gareth Taylor said: “We’re thrilled to have secured Rose’s services – with her impressive back catalogue, she is an incredibly exciting player and one we’re all looking forward to working with.
“Her endless accolades for both club and country are proof of what a talent she is and she’s exactly the kind of player we want here at City, with her ambitions and desire for success matching our own.
“I’m extremely excited to see her make her mark on the Barclays FA Women’s Super League this season in what will hopefully be a successful campaign for Manchester City Women.”
Gavin Makel, Head of Women’s Football, added: “Over the last few years, we have followed Rose’s career with huge interest and watched her grow into one of the best attacking midfielders in the world.
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“She is a highly technical and intellectual player who will give us another threat in the attacking third, and who will further strengthen the squad that we already have in place.
“I’m extremely pleased with our recruitment so far this summer and Rose’s signing is another example of our intentions with the league becoming more competitive.
“I’m sure our fans will be just as excited as I am for the start of the season and we cannot wait to get going.”
