Somerset, N.J. (Wednesday, December 22, 2010) – Sky Blue FC of Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) announced today the signing of two-time Swedish Player of the Year Therese Sjögran, who will join the team on loan from Damallsvenskan club LdB FC Malmö. The loan is part of an official affiliation agreement between Sky Blue FC and LdB FC Malmö that was formalized this week, and future terms of the partnership will be announced in the upcoming weeks.
"Therese Sjögran was one of the first players who I pursued the minute I accepted the Sky Blue FC head coaching position,” said Jim Gabarra, who took over the reins of the New Jersey club in October. “I believe that she will be one of the top midfielders in WPS. Her career achievements have been consistently exceptional, culminating in being named the Swedish Female Footballer of the Year."
Sjögran, who has appeared in over 200 matches for the Swedish National Team, led LdB FC Malmö to its first Damallsvenskan Championship in 16 years this past season. For her efforts, she received Swedish Female Player of the Year accolades for the second time in her professional career. Her first selection of the acclaimed distinction came in 2007, following a standout season that saw her also secure Midfielder of the Year honors. Additionally, the international mainstay has represented her nation in three separate FIFA Women’s World Cups and Olympic Games.
“I am extremely happy that LdB FC and Sky Blue FC have found this solution for me,” Sjögran commented. “This is something I have wanted for a long time, and LdB FC has supported me through the process. The decision fell on Sky Blue FC, thanks to Jim Gabarra’s interest in me as a player, as well as both organizations’ desire to cooperate. Now I get the opportunity to play professional soccer, World Cup, Damallsvenska game and Champions League all in one year. I look forward towards 2011 and the challenges that lay ahead.”
The loan of Sjögran officially kicks off the affiliation agreement between Sky Blue FC and LdB FC Malmö, something that Gabarra was thrilled to see become a reality.
“Sky Blue FC is elated to partner with LdB FC Malmö and create this pioneering affiliation agreement,” he stated. “This is, if not the first, surely one of the first affiliation agreements between an established international club and a WPS club. We look forward to developing and growing this relationship so that both clubs and women's football can continue to grow and achieve."
Sky Blue FC General Manager Gioia DiFlumeri was equally as excited about the partnership between the two clubs.
“As an organization, we are always looking for methods to strengthen our foundation,” she remarked. “Not only do we get an outstanding player with the addition of Therese Sjögran, but we have now established an affiliation with a world class club as well. I applaud the hard work of Jim Gabarra and the representatives from LdB FC Malmö, and I look forward to what the future holds for both of our organizations.”
Speaking on behalf of LdB FC Malmö, General Manager Niclas Carlnen spoke about the strength of developing an affiliation with Sky Blue FC.
“LdB FC constantly works towards developing the organization and club,” he said. “We look for new partnerships with organizations, both nationally and internationally. That we now with Sky Blue FC, one of the best and most stable organizations in WPS both on the field and economically off the field, can start a partnership on several levels is very interesting. Players and staff members will get the ability to experience new challenges through this partnership that will strengthen both organizations.”
"Therese Sjögran was one of the first players who I pursued the minute I accepted the Sky Blue FC head coaching position,” said Jim Gabarra, who took over the reins of the New Jersey club in October. “I believe that she will be one of the top midfielders in WPS. Her career achievements have been consistently exceptional, culminating in being named the Swedish Female Footballer of the Year."
Sjögran, who has appeared in over 200 matches for the Swedish National Team, led LdB FC Malmö to its first Damallsvenskan Championship in 16 years this past season. For her efforts, she received Swedish Female Player of the Year accolades for the second time in her professional career. Her first selection of the acclaimed distinction came in 2007, following a standout season that saw her also secure Midfielder of the Year honors. Additionally, the international mainstay has represented her nation in three separate FIFA Women’s World Cups and Olympic Games.
“I am extremely happy that LdB FC and Sky Blue FC have found this solution for me,” Sjögran commented. “This is something I have wanted for a long time, and LdB FC has supported me through the process. The decision fell on Sky Blue FC, thanks to Jim Gabarra’s interest in me as a player, as well as both organizations’ desire to cooperate. Now I get the opportunity to play professional soccer, World Cup, Damallsvenska game and Champions League all in one year. I look forward towards 2011 and the challenges that lay ahead.”
The loan of Sjögran officially kicks off the affiliation agreement between Sky Blue FC and LdB FC Malmö, something that Gabarra was thrilled to see become a reality.
“Sky Blue FC is elated to partner with LdB FC Malmö and create this pioneering affiliation agreement,” he stated. “This is, if not the first, surely one of the first affiliation agreements between an established international club and a WPS club. We look forward to developing and growing this relationship so that both clubs and women's football can continue to grow and achieve."
Sky Blue FC General Manager Gioia DiFlumeri was equally as excited about the partnership between the two clubs.
“As an organization, we are always looking for methods to strengthen our foundation,” she remarked. “Not only do we get an outstanding player with the addition of Therese Sjögran, but we have now established an affiliation with a world class club as well. I applaud the hard work of Jim Gabarra and the representatives from LdB FC Malmö, and I look forward to what the future holds for both of our organizations.”
Speaking on behalf of LdB FC Malmö, General Manager Niclas Carlnen spoke about the strength of developing an affiliation with Sky Blue FC.
“LdB FC constantly works towards developing the organization and club,” he said. “We look for new partnerships with organizations, both nationally and internationally. That we now with Sky Blue FC, one of the best and most stable organizations in WPS both on the field and economically off the field, can start a partnership on several levels is very interesting. Players and staff members will get the ability to experience new challenges through this partnership that will strengthen both organizations.”
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