Kansas City Current announces contract extension for star midfielder Debinha
The Kansas City Current has locked down another key member of its core for the next few seasons.
On Friday morning, the Current announced a two-year contract extension for Debinha through 2026, with an option for the 2027 season. The star playmaker’s deal was set to end after the current season.
“I am so happy to stay in Kansas City,” Debinha said through the team’s news release. “The city has been so welcoming in every way. The fans, my teammates and the club have made me feel at home, and I am proud to play for them.”
During a news conference on Friday afternoon, Debinha noted that during her first experience in free agency — which led to her signing in Kansas City — she felt she needed a new challenge, and that what the Current were doing enticed her. Now, she doesn’t want to leave.
“I just want to stay where I feel happy (and) feel comfortable, and to worry about just soccer,” Debinha said. “I think for me here, I feel at home.”
Debinha joined the Current as a free agent ahead of the 2023 season. She has scored 18 goals in all competitions since joining the club. She appeared in the NWSL Best XI (lineup of the month) three times in 2023, and made the Best XI of the season while being named an MVP finalist in 2023.
In 2024, Debinha’s season started slow due to injury but ramped up during the NWSL Summer Cup and Women’s Cup, where she scored four goals. She was named to the NWSL’s Best XI in July and August.
“Deb is a player that everyone would love to have on the team,” said head coach Vlatko Andonovski. “She makes everyone around her better with her skill, her vision and her leadership. I am happy to know that she decided to stay in Kansas City and call it a home.”
Debinha is in the NWSL’s top 10 all-time for regular-season goals, game-winning goals and playoff goals. In addition to her success within the league, she has made nearly 150 appearances for Brazil and scored 61 goals.
KC Current contract situation
The Current has clearly set out to lock down the team’s core this summer. After trading for Alana Cook, the Current inked her to an extension through the 2027 season.
Ellie Wheeler, a second-round draft pick from 2024, was locked up through the 2028 season.
Now, Debinha joins the group under contract through 2026 and potentially through 2027.
In the winter, the Current extended both Gabrielle Robinson and Izzy Rodriguez through 2026 and 2025, respectively. The club also inked captain Lo LaBonta to an extension through the 2025 season.
Andonovski said the transactions, both in and out of the club, as well as the contract extensions, are about moving toward a vision for the club.
“When we first came in, I and the staff had a vision of how we want this team to look not just this season, but also for seasons ahead of us,” Andonovski said. “And we’re constantly playing with the line where we don’t want to jeopardize the results but still get the growth and develop the team.”
Daniel Sperry covers soccer for The Star. He can be reached at sperry.danielkc@gmail.com.
This story was originally published September 6, 2024 at 12:04 PM.