April 19, 2024 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)
NJ/NY Gotham FC News Release
HARRISON, NJ – NJ/NY Gotham FC today announced the club has acquired German international goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger from Chelsea FC Women in exchange for an undisclosed transfer fee. Following the transfer, Berger has signed a one-year contract through 2024, with an option for 2025.
“I am incredibly excited to join Gotham FC for this season,” said Berger. “The NWSL is one of the top leagues in the world right now, and I am very excited to compete and be a part of this league.”
Berger joins the club from Women’s Super League (WSL) side Chelsea, where she has played since 2019. With Chelsea, Berger has appeared and started in 65 matches, recorded 35 clean sheets, a 0.67 goals-against average, and a 75.7% save percentage. Additionally, the goalkeeper helped Chelsea to secure the WSL title for four straight seasons from 2019-23. On the international stage, she was a part of the German squad that competed in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“Ann is a very strong and experienced goalkeeper, who is a true professional. She brings international experience and has performed really well consistently at the highest level,” said Gotham FC Head Coach Juan Carlos Amoros. “We are very excited to have Ann join us for this season.”
Before Chelsea, Berger played for Birmingham City from 2016-19. In 2017, she was named the WSL 1 Players’ Player of the Year, alongside Manchester City’s Jill Scott, after making an incredible return from thyroid cancer. The goalkeeper closed out the season by being named to the Professional Footballer’s Association Women’s Team of the Year. Prior to joining the WSL, Berger also spent time with Paris Saint-Germain from 2014-16.
“We are very excited to add a goalkeeper of Ann’s caliber to the goalkeeping department at our club,” Gotham FC General Manager and Head of Soccer Operations Yael Averbuch West.
Berger began her professional career at German second-tier side Sindelfingen before making a move to Turbine Potsdam in the summer of 2011. She played five league games as they won the Frauen Bundesliga for the 2011-12 season.
With the acquisition of Berger, the club has parted ways with goalkeeper Erin Mckinney, who was a season-ending injury replacement player.
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