Kansas City Current go international, add French midfielder with stacked resume
.png "The KC Current are hoping to attract more higher-tier international players like Claire Lavogez, whose signing was announced Wednesday morning. A new $19 million training facility and new stadium coming in 2024 should make the club competitive for such players in the global marketplace.")
The Kansas City Current are adding an international player at one of their most stacked positions, announcing on Wednesday morning the acquisition of French midfielder Claire Lavogez.
Lavogez comes to the Current with a lengthy international pedigree, having helped France to a third-place showing at the 2014 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Now 28, she went on to represent France at the senior level in the 2015 Women’s World Cup, 2016 Summer Olympics and 2017 UEFA Women’s Euro.
Lavogez has tallied three goals in 35 appearances for France..
“We are thrilled to welcome Claire to Kansas City,” general manager Camille Levin Ashton said. “Her incredible vision and play making ability along with her time playing at an international level will bring a wealth of experience to this team. Her signing is just one more indication that Kansas City has become a destination for women’s players from around the globe. We’re excited to see Claire out on the pitch.”
Lavogez joins Kansas City midfielders Sam Mewis (who has been injured this season and has yet to play for KC), Desiree Scott and Victoria Pickett as Current players with international experience. Others on the Current’s roster with international playing time to their credit include veteran LoLabonta and, more recently, Alex Loera.
“I am so excited to be in Kansas City and to play with this team,” Lavogez said. “Everyone here wants to be the best in the world, from the players to the staff and ownership. I can’t wait to get started.”
Lavogez’s most recently played with Bordeaux. In 5,000 minutes for that club, she recorded 15 goals and 14 assists. In Bordeaux’s most recent season, which produced a sixth-place showing in the Division 1 Féminine league, she appeared in 19 matches, scoring four goals and making three assists.
Before that, Lavogez played for Montpelier (2011-15) and French power Olympique Lyon (2015-17). She scored in both legs of a 17-0 demolition of FC Zurich in the Round of 16 as Lyon earned a fourth Champions league title.
The Current are hoping to attract more higher-tier international players like Lavogez. A new $19 million training facility and new stadium coming in 2024 should make the club competitive for such players in the global marketplace.
Fans will have to wait until July 31, when the Current play host to the Orlando Pride, to see Lavogez in action. They’ll be seeking to extend their unbeaten streak to eight games. The KC-Pride match is slated to start at 6 p.m. Central Time at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan.
This story was originally published July 20, 2022 at 8:00 AM with the headline "Kansas City Current go international, add French midfielder with stacked resume."