Current make roster-boosting trade that brings two Kansas City-area natives back home
The Kansas City Current executed a trade on Thursday morning that brought home two Kansas City-area natives.
The Current acquired forward Cece Kizer and defender Addisyn Merrick from Racing Louisville FC in exchange for an international slot through the 2023 season and $150,000 in allocation money. If Kizer meets certain performance milestones, Louisville will receive an additional $25,000.
“CeCe obviously comes with great pedigree, for the last couple of years (she) has really established herself in the league,” Current coach Matt Potter said. “Addison (had) a good start with Carolina and then obviously dealt with some injuries, but now (is) on the right side of that, and there’s great potential to push on.”
“The fact that they’re both local makes it even sweeter.”
Kizer and Merrick aren’t direct replacements for Mallory Weber and Lynn Williams, both on the season-ending injury lists, but will provide depth and ability across both of those position groups.
From Overland Park, Kizer led Blue Valley Northwest to three straight Kansas 6A girls soccer titles. She is the record holder at Ole Miss for career goals (48), and points (119). The Houston Dash drafted her with the 13th overall pick in 2019.
After playing for the Dash in the 2019 regular season and the 2020 Challenge Cup, she went to Kolbotn in Norway before joining Louisville for their inaugural season in 2021. That year, she enjoyed a breakout season, scoring seven goals and three assists in all competitions. In the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup, she scored the lone goal for Louisville in a 1-1 draw with the KC Current to open Challenge Cup play.
“Returning home to Kansas City is a dream come true,” Kizer said in a statement. “The Current have built an incredible organization with their investment in facilities and the amazing fan base. I can’t wait to join the team.”
Merrick, from Lee’s Summit, played at Lee’s Summit North. She attended the University of Kansas, winning the Big 12 defender of the year award in the Jayhawks’ 2019 conference championship season.
Both Kizer and Merrick will be available for selection when the Current take on Gotham FC on Saturday night.
While Kizer is expected to arrive in Kansas City on Friday, Merrick drove herself home on Thursday, even surprising her little brother. She only told her sister and her mom, and her mom made up a story for her brother, asking him to help some people move some things.
“I pulled up and he was like, ‘No way! You got traded!’” Merrick said. “He started freaking out like he was jumping everywhere.”
Merrick said she planned to stop by and surprise her grandmother at work after practice. She also said that she had told Louisville that a move home would be something she would be interested in.
“I definitely went and talked to my club about it,” Merrick said. “It was something that I kind of need. I went through a lot last season with injuries, and I feel like being home around family and being in this environment, I feel like would be really good for me mentally.”
She added that what the Current have already done in Kansas City really helped attract her back home.
“I’m just stoked to be here,” Merrick said. What they’re building for the women’s sport here is incredible, and I’m just excited that I get to be a part of it now, especially in my hometown.
This story was originally published June 9, 2022 at 5:09 PM with the headline "Current make roster-boosting trade that brings two Kansas City-area natives back home."