Portuguese Captain Joins Santa Clarita

Santa Clarita Blue Heat News Release – www.scblueheat.com

Friday, February 11, 2011

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. – The Santa Clarita Blue Heat are proud to announce the signing of Portuguese national team captain Edite Fernandes for the 2011 season, pending USL and USSF approval. Fernandes has made 81 appearances for the Portuguese national team in a 14-year career.

Fernandes began her career with Boavista in Portugal, and between her time there and with fellow Portuguese First Division club 1º Dezembro earned nine league title and three Portuguese Cup titles. Since then, Fernandes has played in China, England and Spain, most recently playing for Atletico Madrid.

Speaking to Portuguese soccer website MaisFutebol, Fernandes said she was excited to have the opportunity to come the play in the United States.

“I want to represent the best of Portuguese women’s football and show that the Portuguese have the ability to play in the top leagues in the world,” Fernandes said. “My goal is to play in the European or World Cup, and I believe we are very close to getting it.”

Blue Heat Owner and President Carlos Marroquin said he was delighted to have Fernandes join his club, and paid tribute to Portuguese national team coach Monica Jorge for her help in bringing Fernandes to Santa Clarita.

Marroquin added he hoped he would be able to add more players of Fernandes’ caliber to the side before the season began.

“When I took over the club a year ago, my goal was to bring quality to the league,” Marroquin said. “My goal is to have three or four good players similar to Edite playing for the side this season.”