FIFA Women's Player of the Year Marta joins Orlando Pride

Marta top goal-scorer in Women's World Cup history

ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando Pride this week signed Brazilian Marta Vieira da Silver to the team, adding a powerhouse goal scorer to the roster.

The deal for one of the game's biggest stars had been rumored weeks before the Pride made it official Friday.

Known by just her first name, Marta, 31, has scored 106 goals in 109 international appearances with the Brazilian national team. 

Marta is a five-time FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year. She will join the Pride on a two-year contract, pending the approval of her P-1 visa, Orlando City officials said.

“We are incredibly proud to bring Marta to Orlando, and I am personally very excited, as I have been a fan of hers for many years,” Orlando City SC CEO Alex Leitao said. “Our technical team worked hard to add the best, most accomplished women’s soccer player in the world to the roster."

Marta is the top goal scorer in Women’s World Cup history, with 15 goals. She also led Brazil to a second-place finish at the Athens Olympic Games in 2004.

She is two goals short of becoming the World Cup’s top scorer among both men and women and is currently tied with fellow Brazilian Ronaldo and Miroslav Klose of Germany.

Read more about why Marta is called the Greatest of All Time here.

Marta fills the Pride’s last international spot.

Former World Player of the Year and Orlando City soccer star Kaká is also from Brazil.

"Welcome to the Orlando City Soccer family!" Kaká tweeted to Marta after hearing the news.

The Pride’s season opener is April 15 at Portland Thorns FC. The team will play its inaugural game at the new Orlando City Stadium on April 22.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Welcome to the best ever to play the game. #FillTheBowl pic.twitter.com/pdpMxpZfPf

— Orlando Pride (@ORLPride) April 7, 2017


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