April 2, 2024 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)
Washington Spirit News Release
Washington, D.C. – The Washington Spirit has agreed to terms with star Colombian midfielder Leicy Santos on a three-year contract, the club announced today. Santos will join the Spirit in the coming months upon wrapping up the 2023-24 Liga F season in Spain with Atlético Madrid.
Santos’ move to the District is the latest splash made by the Spirit in the global soccer world after hiring Jonatan Giráldez from Spain’s FC Barcelona Femení in January. In keeping with owner Michele Kang’s vision for the Spirit to be the world’s preeminent sports organization, club leadership has shown its commitment to finding and bringing in key personnel that will continue to propel the team forward.
“I’m so excited to be starting a new journey in a new league with the Washington Spirit,” said Santos. “As an institution, the Spirit has been home to some top players. They are pioneers in the women’s game with an incredible owner in Michele Kang, a talented coach with Jonatan and I’m ready to join them after finishing up my time with Atlético these next few months to see what I can do to add to the legacy. I’m so thankful to my management team TMJ and thankful to Jona and Mark [Krikorian] for having confidence in me.”
Santos made waves on the international stage during last summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup with her quarterfinal stunner against back-to-back The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper winner Mary Earps and eventual tournament runner-up England. Her extensive experience at the international level includes 43 appearances for the Colombian senior national team since 2014. She represented Las Cafeteras in each of the federation’s last two Women’s World Cup appearances in 2015 and 2023.
“Bringing Leicy to the Spirit is an important step in taking this team forward,” said Head Coach Jonatan Giráldez. “She is relentless in the attacking third and can create opportunities at will with her passing. We are thrilled to have her.”
Since joining Atlético Madrid in 2019, Santos has appeared in over 100 league matches for the side, totaling 17 goals and 16 assists. Santos also appeared in the Champions League with Atlético Madrid in each of her first two seasons at the club, helping the team reach the quarterfinals in 2020 and the round of 16 in 2021. She has recorded one goal across seven Champions League appearances. In 2023, Santos and Atlético won Copa de la Reina, completing a thrilling late…