American goalkeeper Adrianna Franch signed with Norwegian Toppserien club Avaldsnes IL, officially leaving the Western New York Flash. The Flash will retain Franch’s NWSL rights through August 30.
Franch missed all of 2014 after tearing the ACL in her right knee during the first week of preseason with the Flash.
Western New York drafted Franch No. 6 overall in the 2013 NWSL College Draft. Franch started every game for the Flash in their run to the inaugural league final, compiling a 10-4-8 record and giving up less than a goal per game.
Franch and the Flash could not agree to terms on a new contract this offseason, prompting the goalkeeper to make the move. In anticipation of possibly losing Franch, the Flash traded for goalkeeper Chantel Jones and drafted goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo out of South Carolina in the 2015 draft.
Avaldsnes IL is the same club that last week signed former Florida State standout Casey Short. Short was selected by the Boston Breakers as the No. 5 overall pick in the 2013 draft, but a knee injury (ACL) during an Under-23 U.S. Women’s National Team match kept her out of the inaugural NWSL season.
