Racing Louisville FC strengthened its midfield ranks for 2023 and beyond with the signing of Brazilian international Ary Borges, the club announced Friday.
Borges, 22, signed a three-year deal with Racing through the 2025 season.
“I am thrilled about this new challenge,” Borges said. “It will be an honor to represent Racing Louisville FC and play in the NWSL, one of the top leagues in the world. I am ready and very much looking forward to taking on this new opportunity. Go Racing!”
A versatile player, Borges plays central midfield for Brazil’s national team but can also take up wide forward or winger roles. She did both for her previous club, São Paulo-based Palmeiras, though she featured primarily as a midfielder.
One of the young stars for Brazil’s next generation of talent, Borges has four goals in 22 national team games, including two scores in this summer’s Copa America. Her game-winning semifinal goal helped Brazil beat Paraguay and eventually claim its fourth consecutive Copa America trophy.
Borges scored 37 goals in 87 appearances over three years with Palmeiras. She totaled 18 goals in 32 appearances this year, leading her team to a trio of wins: the 2022 Campeonato Paulista, the 2022 Copa Libertadores and the regular-season shield in the Brasileiro Serie A. Her goals in the semifinal and final pushed Palmeiras to the Copa Libertadores trophy in October, and her goal in the final helped Palmeiras claim the Campeonato Paulista on Wednesday. She was named the Campeonato Paulista’s midfielder of the year.
“Ary is a player who we have been tracking for a while,” said Racing coach Kim Björkegren. “She is very talented, and already at 22 she has proven that she is an important player not only for Palmeiras but also in the Brazilian national team. She is a box-to-box midfielder. She can win the ball for your team but also finish and score goals. We are very happy to welcome Ary to Louisville.”
Borges joins a young, talented Racing Louisville FC midfield that features recent U.S. Women’s National Team call-ups Savannah DeMelo and Jaelin Howell in addition to versatile starter Lauren Milliet, Australian national teamer Alex Chidiac and Chinese star Wang Shuang. She is the second new signing of the offseason, along with Finnish defender Elli Pikkujämsä.
The 2023 National Women’s Soccer League season kicks off Saturday, March 25. Full schedule details are expected soon. For now, season ticket memberships are on sale by visiting RacingLouFC.com/tickets or calling (502) 568-2489 during business hours.
The addition of Borges gives Racing 23 players under contract for the 2023 season.
Racing Louisville FC’s current 2023 roster
Goalkeepers: Hillary Beall*, Jordyn Bloomer*, Kelsey Daugherty, Katie Lund
Defenders: Emily Fox, Rebecca Holloway, Julia Lester, Satara Murray, Elli Pikkujämsä, Zaneta Wyne
Midfielders: Ary Borges, Alex Chidiac^, Savannah DeMelo, Jaelin Howell, Taylor Malham, Lauren Milliet, Wang Shuang
Forwards: Kirsten Davis, Emina Ekic^, Parker Goins, Thembi Kgatlana, Jessica McDonald%, Nadia Nadim
* Hillary Beall (Western United) and Jordyn Bloomer (Western Sydney Wanderers) are on loan in Australia until April.
^ Alex Chidiac (Melbourne Victory) and Emina Ekic (Melbourne City) are on loan in Australia until mid-February 2023.
% Jessica McDonald (Western United) is on loan in Australia until late January 2023.
