Manchester City Women Sign Fidalgo

Manchester City Women have agreed a deal with SC Braga to sign Portugal international Matilde Fidalgo and will join the blues on 1^st July.

The 25-year-old defender, who plays at right back, is a second cousin of Bernardo Silva, with the two sharing a great-grandmother. Fidalgo has previously played for Benfica and Sporting CP has won 43 caps for Portugal.

“Matilde came on our radar about a year ago and we’ve been tracking her performances for a while now,” said Nick Cushing. “She’s a committed defender with a strong desire to win every game she is playing in.”

Welcome to Manchester, Matilde.

However, the blues have said goodbye to Claire Emslie, who has joined Orlando Pride.

The Scotland striker, who is part of the Scots’ squad for next month’s Women’s World Cup, has scored 44 goals in 121 club appearances for City, Hibernian and Bristol City, and will join her new club after the World Cup, pending a visa.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to play pro soccer in the USA,” Emslie told the Orlando Pride website. “I left Florida three years ago as a college graduate determined to return one day as a professional player and I can’t quite believe it has happened.”

Pride head coach Marc Skinner is a keen admirer of Emslie and will be delighted to have signed the City striker. “Claire is a player I have wanted to work with for a long time now. Her ability to effectively dribble, pass and shoot with both feet, means she will keep defenders guessing about her next move and will excite our fans. More importantly, Claire possesses a personality that will epitomise the hardworking culture we are working daily to create at the Pride.”

We wish Claire the best of luck with her new club.