The Chicago Red Stars announced the signing of Canadian national team star Julia Grosso on Monday, significantly improving their midfield unit as they aim to return to the National Women’s Soccer League playoffs after failing to qualify last year.
Financial terms of the three-year contract were not announced.
Grosso, 23, made her debut for the Canadian national team in November 2017 at age 17 and scored the game-winning penalty kick against Sweden in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 to secure Canada’s first gold medal in women’s soccer.
She spent the last three seasons with Juventus FC in the Serie A Women’s League — the top flight in Italy — where she won the 2022 Copa Italia, the Supercopa and a league title. Grosso was named Serie A Midfielder of the Year in 2022 and scored 10 goals during her three seasons with the club.
“I’m thrilled to be joining the Red Stars and can’t wait to hit the field every weekend and give it my all,” Grosso said in a statement. “I’ve heard that Red Star fans are super passionate, so I’m excited to be a part of that. I’m looking forward to playing alongside the talented players in Chicago for the rest of the season and beyond.”
This is the Red Stars’ biggest free-agent signing in years — outside of re-signing Mallory Swanson in January to a league-record four-year, $2 million deal with a fifth-year option that will keep the star striker in Chicago through at least 2027.
While the Red Stars continue to fight for footing in the league standings — currently seventh in the NWSL table at 7-7-2 after Saturday’s win over Houston — this willingness to spend on roster additions reflects an evolving future for the club under new ownership.
Grosso will not join the Red Stars until after the Olympic break that begins this week. Canada opens its Olympic title defense July 25 against New Zealand, with additional group stage matches against France (July 28) and Colombia (July 31).
The Red Stars will participate in the Summer Cup — an exhibition tournament featuring NWSL and Liga MX Femenil teams — during the pause for the Olympic tournament.
