Orlando Pride Sign Brazilian International Defensive Midfielder Luana

The Orlando Pride announced this afternoon the signing of Brazilian international Luana Bertolucci Paixao, better known as Luana, who was out of contract after playing most recently with Corinthians. The deal for the defensive midfielder is for two years through the 2025 season with a mutual option year for 2026. 

“Luana is an excellent addition to our team. She immediately elevates the quality of our midfield and we couldn’t be more excited to see her in a Pride jersey,” Orlando Pride Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Haley Carter said in a club press release. “Luana’s been a consistent performer for Brazil in multiple major tournaments and brings the extensive experience of a very prestigious club career. She’s brought championship trophies to the clubs she’s played for, earning several individual awards herself, and her tenacious attitude and commitment to winning fit right in with the high-performance environment and culture we are building.”

The 30-year-old midfielder began her career with the Sao Paulo, Brazil-based club Centro Olimpico in 2011 before moving to Europe in 2015. She played for Avaldsnes IL in Norway until 2018, South Korean club Hwacheon KSPO in 2019, and French giants Paris Saint-Germain from 2020 until 2022. The Sao Bernardo do Campo native returned to her home country in 2022, signing for Corinthians.

The midfielder made her international debut in 2010 with Brazil’s under-17 national team, taking part in the 2010 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago. She was in the squad for the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Japan before making her senior team debut in December 2012. She’s made 30 national team appearances for the senior side, scoring one goal.

Luana initially wasn’t on Brazil’s 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup roster, but was added to the squad after new Pride teammate Adriana suffered an injury. The midfielder appeared twice in the tournament, coming on as a substitute in group games against Australia and Italy. She made her way into the starting lineup for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, starting all three group stage games where Brazil was surprisingly eliminated.

“I’m thrilled to join Orlando, as it is a great club in a privileged location, and where I will be able to play alongside amazing players,” Luana said in the club’s release. “This is a very important step in my career, as I’ve always wanted to play in the NWSL, a very competitive and well-structured league. I hope I can make a smooth transition and adapt as soon as possible, so that I can help my teammates and the Club achieve great things.”

What It Means for Orlando

Luana fills an essential need for the Pride this off-season. The club traded defensive midfielder Mikayla Cluff to the Utah Royals on Nov. 15 for expansion draft protection and will likely be without Viviana Villacorta for the start of the season after she tore her ACL last year. The addition of the Brazilian international provides a starter in a position of need, even after Villacorta returns. Combined with Wednesday’s signing of restricted free agent and fellow Brazilian international midfielder Angelina, the Pride have potentially found a new starting double pivot.

It should be relatively easy for Luana to slide into this team as she knows multiple players already in the starting lineup. She’s played extensively with Marta, Adriana, Rafaelle, and Angelina while with the Brazilian national team.

Angelina didn’t require an international slot, so it comes as no surprise that the club made a move like this after trading backup goalkeeper Carly Nelson and Allocation Money to Utah for an extra international position. Luana requires an international slot, so the trade with Utah was obviously made with this deal nearing completion.