Orlando Pride Announce Lisa De Vanna’s Loan to Canberra United

Orlando Pride finally announced the loan of striker Lisa De Vanna to Canberra United in Australia’s W-League. This news has been floating around since mid-December, with De Vanna already showing on that club’s roster page as a guest player days before Christmas. The Pride announced De Vanna will be eligible to return to Orlando for the start of the 2017 NWSL season.

De Vanna, 32, joins Jasmyne Spencer on Canberra United and becomes the sixth Pride player to join the W-League during this NWSL off-season.

The Australian international joined Orlando late in the season and played in three matches (two starts) with the Pride in 2016, but did not register a goal or assist. However, in just a couple of games, she got notably better and more dangerous in the attacking third. A full season with the Pride would go a long way toward helping the club’s attack.

An accomplished international player, De Vanna has 40 goals for her country in more than 100 caps. Her presence for the start of the season would help mitigate the loss of Alex Morgan to Lyon for the start of the NWSL season.

Prior to joining the Pride last season, De Vanna had previously played in the U.S. with the Washington Freedom, magicJack, Sky Blue FC, the Boston Breakers, and the Washington Spirit.