Linköping FC of the Damallsvenskan, Sweden’s premier women’s soccer league, is reporting that midfielder Kosovare Asllani has terminated her contract with the Chicago Red Stars and will return to the Swedish club as early as Saturday.
According to the Linköping FC report, Asllani, a Swedish international, actually registered with the team prior to the transfer window closting July 31 in the event that her situation in Chicago did not work out. Asllani did not travel with the Red Stars to New Jersey for Sunday’s 2-0 win over Sky Blue FC and her contract with the team was officially terminated Thursday. She played in 13 games this season with Chicago, starting eight and scoring twice.
“Great to get back to Linköping after one season in the U.S., where I have been many experiences richer,” Asllani said (roughly translated). “I look forward to grow in my leadership role and helping the team to success, as well as in the league and the Champions League.”
Her contract with the club becomes valid August 15 and she is expected to be ready for an August 17 home match with Umeå IK. The Damallsvenskan season runs through Oct. 16, which is only a few weeks after the WPS Championship Sept. 26. The claim by Linköping FC’s Website that Asllani’s season with Chicago would end early due to missing the playoffs is a bit far-fetched. Chicago (5-8-5, 20 pts.) is currently tied with the Washington Freedom for the fourth and final playoff spot.
Linköping FC Club Director Anders Mäki sees the move as a positive one for keeping top Swedish players in their domestic league.
“Just like last year when Sara Larsson came to us so we knew that the chances would be since all four of our players went to the U.S. this winter,” Mäki said on the club’s Website. “So it feels great for us in the club to get back one of our gold medalists. In addition, we hope for the whole Damallsvenskan part because it is a trend that the flow of talented players are going that way.”
Check out the full article here in English and take note that the translation makes for some awkward sentences. The Red Stars mutually terminated Asllani’s contract Thursday.
Chicago also acquired the rights to Faith Ikidi in a trade that sent defender Anita Asante to the Washington Freedom
