With the Orlando Pride’s latest move, they have secured a new defender just days before their season opener against Utah Royals FC.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Pride announced they acquired Swedish defender Lotta Ökvist from the Houston Dash in exchange for Orlando’s third-round pick in the 2019 National Women’s Soccer League College Draft. Terms of the contract were not released, per team and league policies.
“We’re very happy to bring another young, left-footed and versatile player to the Pride,” head coach Tom Sermanni said, per the team’s press release. “Lotta’s style of play fits in with the way we compete on the field. We’re excited to welcome her to Orlando.”
Ökvist was previously with the since-discontinued Boston Breakers and was the 13th pick by the Dash in the 2018 NWSL Dispersal Draft.
Before her time with the Breakers, Ökvist played with Piteå IF in her hometown of Piteå, Sweden, during the recent NWSL offseason. With Piteå, the 21-year-old played in 25 matches during the 2016-17 Damallsvenskan season. Ökvist also played one professional season with Umeå IK in the 2016-2017 season.
Ökvist has made appearances with the U-19 Swedish women’s national team and led her country to the 2015-16 UEFA U-19 Women’s Championship. She was also a member of Sweden’s U-17 women’s national team.
At just 21 years old, Ökvist brings youth to a roster that boasts some of the NWSL’s most elite, national-team players in Alex Morgan, Marta Vieira da Silva and Alanna Kennedy.
For more on the Pride, as they prepare for their season opener on Saturday, follow Sarah Kelliher on Twitter at @sarahkelliher4.
