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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Gotham FC Signs UCLA Defender Lilly Reale to Multi-Year Contract |
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HARRISON, NJ (Friday, January 3, 2025) - NJ/NY Gotham FC announced today that the club has signed defender Lilly Reale to a multi-year contract through 2027. “I could not be more grateful to begin my professional career at Gotham FC,” said Reale. “I look forward to learning from such established players and coaches, competing with and against the best, and developing as a player and person here at Gotham. I’m excited to make an impact and create something special this year!” Reale, 21, made 83 appearances over four years with the UCLA Bruins, recording three goals and four assists in 7,100 minutes of play. In 2024, she earned First-Team All-American, All-North Region, and All-Big Ten honors. Reale was also named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, marking the third consecutive year she won the conference award (PAC-12 in 2022 and 2023). She became the fourth player in program history to earn four first-team all-conference selections. In both 2023 and 2024, Reale was a semifinalist for the prestigious MAC Hermann Trophy, which recognizes the top college soccer players. In 2022, she became just the third UCLA player to win the Honda Sport Award as the best collegiate female athlete in soccer. Additionally, she was named the Most Outstanding Defensive Player at the 2022 College Cup, where she helped lead UCLA to a National Championship. “Lilly is an excellent player who has achieved tremendous success at the college and Youth National Team levels,” said Gotham FC General Manager and Head of Soccer Operations Yael Averbuch West. “We are thrilled to welcome her to the club and excited to see the impact she will make.” Internationally, Reale has represented the United States at the U-17 and U-20 levels, including two appearances at the 2022 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Reale attended Hingham High School, where she was a three-time South Shore Select All-American. She played her club soccer with South Shore Select, earning Player of the Year honors once |