December 30, 2023 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – NJ/NY Gotham FC News Release
HARRISON, N.J. – NJ/NY Gotham FC today announced that forward Ify Onumonu has been traded to expansion team Utah Royals for $40,000 in allocation money.
“Although my time at Gotham has come to an end, it will always be family,” said Onumonu. “I will cherish every memory I’ve made in my time with the club. I’m happy and proud to join the Utah Royals and hope to take all the lessons I’ve learned at Gotham with me. Although my chapter with Gotham closes, I’ll always have this club in my heart. Please support me in my next journey.”
Onumonu has played three seasons with the club since joining in 2020 via trade with OL Reign. Over the 2021 and 2022 regular seasons with Gotham FC, the forward started in 35 of the 40 matches she appeared in, recording 2,920 minutes, 10 goals, and six assists. In the 2023 regular season, Onumonu appeared in 14 matches and started in four, recording 370 minutes and one assist.
“Ify has been a great leader and a reference at Gotham,” said Gotham FC Head Coach Juan Carlos Amorós. “Ify was very important in helping us win the championship this season. It’s been a pleasure to work with her.”
Onumonu was also a part of Nigeria’s 2023 World Cup squad. She helped the Super Falcons to a Round of 16 appearance, where the team was knocked out by eventual runner-up England. In her first World Cup, Onumonu appeared in four matches and started in three, recording 227 minutes.
“Ify has been a key player in our growth as a club over the past few seasons,” said Gotham FC General Manager and Head of Soccer Operations Yael Averbuch West. “We are truly grateful for Ify’s contributions and wish her the best of luck in her next chapter.”
Prior to joining Gotham FC, Onumonu has played for OL Reign (2019-20), Portland Thorns (2018), and Boston Breakers (2017). Onumonu was the eighth overall draft pick by the Breakers in the 2017 NWSL Draft.
Before embarking on a professional career, Onumonu was a standout at University of California-Berkeley, where she was NSCAA All-Pacific and named to the Pac-12 All-Academic Team three times, and she was named Freshman All-American by Soccer America.
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