CARY, N.C. (July 21, 2023) – The North Carolina Courage and defender Malia Berkely have agreed to terms on a three-year, guaranteed contract extension. The extension will go into effect on January 1, 2024, and extends through the 2026 season.
Berkely has become a mainstay along the Courage back line, forming a dominant pairing with Kaleigh Kurtz in the center back slots. Berkely, who has played 945 minutes across 11 matches this season, is passing at nearly 90% accuracy and has a tackle success of 62.5%. She has helped the Courage to a league-high eight clean sheets this season, allowing just 13 goals – the second fewest in the league – through 15 matches en route to first place in the standings entering the international break.
“I am very excited to be staying here in Cary! The growth of this team has been massive and I’m just thankful to be a part of it. What we are building here as a team is so special and it’s been showing. We will continue to work and push forward and I’m looking forward to another three years of it,” said Berkely.
Berkely had a legendary collegiate career at Florida State, playing in 84 matches for the Seminoles. She scored four goals and had 14 assists while leading Florida State to three ACC Championship titles and an NCAA Championship title. She was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year in both 2019 and 2020.
She began her professional career with French FC Girondins de Bordeaux, appearing in 10 matches across two seasons before the Courage acquired her via transfer ahead of the 2022 season.
Berkely and the Courage look to remain atop the Eastern Division in the UKG NWSL Challenge Cup as they welcome the Washington Spirit Saturday, July 22, at 7:00 p.m. ET at WakeMed Soccer Park. The match will stream live in the USA on Paramount+ and internationally on nwslsoccer.com.
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