Today, Angel City Football Club announced the official signing of goalkeeper Dijana “Didi” Haračić, defender Paige Nielsen, and 2022 NWSL Draft third-round pick Hope Breslin to the team’s inaugural roster.
A 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup MVP finalist, Haračić, a goalkeeper from Bosnia and Herzegovina, played her collegiate career for Loyola University Maryland and earned the title of 2012 MAAC Goalkeeper of the Year. She began her professional career with the Washington Spirit Reserves in 2013 before signing with the Western New York Flash in 2014. She returned to the Spirit in 2016 and was traded to Sky Blue FC (formerly NJ/NY Gotham) in 2019. She was traded to ACFC for $50,000 in allocation money in December and has signed a two-year contract.
“Didi is an excellent goalkeeper, and will bring a wealth of NWSL experience to our goalkeeping corps,” said Dan Ball, ACFC Goalkeeper Coach. “Last season she demonstrated across several games and hostile environments, that she has exactly what is required to be an elite goalkeeper in the NWSL. Her performances rightly meant that she had lots of clubs vying for her signature, and we are glad she will be joining us here in Los Angeles.”
Nielsen, a 2021 NWSL Champion defender, was selected by ACFC in the fourth round of the 2022 NWSL Expansion Draft. In the 2021 season, she played in 19 games with one goal for the Spirit. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Nielsen won an NCAA championship, played both defender and forward, and captained the Tar Heels. Nielsen has signed a one year contract with a one-year option to extend.
“Paige has great experience in the NWSL, especially coming off of winning a championship with the Washington Spirit this past season,” said ACFC Head Coach Freya Coombe. “She is a versatile defender who is comfortable on the ball and can play along the back line in different formations. We are really excited to have her in LA.”
Breslin, selected by ACFC with the second pick in the third round, 28th overall, of the 2022 NWSL Draft, played collegiate soccer at the University of Illinois, where she was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten in 2018, 2019, and 2020. Breslin has signed a one year contract with a one year option to extend.
“Hope is a young talent with great stats from collegiate play,” said Coombe. “She is a great person with a strong desire to take the next step as a pro. I look forward to working with her and having her part of the team.”
Haračić, Nielsen, and Breslin will debut with the forthcoming ACFC roster in Spring 2022 in Los Angeles at Banc of California Stadium.
