Kelly Smith, the England forward who was a finalist for FIFA Women’s Player of the Year in 2008, signed a multi-year contract on Wednesday with the Boston Breakers of Women’s Pro Soccer.
The seven-team US league will open its inaugural season in April with US rosters joined by top international talent such as Smith, who has 33 goals in 76 matches over a 14-year career with England’s national squad.
“We are delighted to have signed such a world-class, creative attacking talent,” Breakers president Joe Cummings said.
“Kelly has been playing at the top level for a long time, and I feel she will have a tremendous impact, not only on our team, but also the league.”
Smith has scored 100 goals in 112 matches for Arsenal Ladies, which in 2007 won the English Women’s Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Women’s Cup to complete a rare “quadruple”.
Smith was England’s only player in the now-defunct Women’s United Soccer Association, spending 2001 through 2003 with the Philadelphia Charge.
