Juventus forward Cristiana Girelli joins Bay FC on loan
· Yahoo Sports
Bay FC announced the acquisition of Italian forward Cristiana Girelli on loan through August 2026, from Serie A Femminile side Juventus.
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Girelli is set to join the Bay Area club after the March international window when Girelli will play with Italy following her squad’s 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying matches on March 3, and March 7.
“At this stage of my career, I felt ready for a new challenge, and the opportunity to come to the United States is incredibly exciting. I’m grateful to Juventus that helped shape me, not just as a player, but as a person,” said Girelli in a statement. “The NWSL is one of the most competitive leagues in the world, and I’ve always wanted to test myself in that environment. Joining Bay FC feels like the perfect next step. The ambition of the club, the vision for growth, and the passion around women’s football here really inspires me. I’m proud of what I have achieved in my career, but I’m hungry for more and I can’t wait to give everything I have for Bay FC.”
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The 35-year-old striker has played professional football since 2005 when she made her debut with Bardolino’s first team in Serie A Femminile. There has scored 250 goals in over 400 professional appearances in club football in the Italian league.
“We’re delighted to welcome (Girelli) to Bay FC,” said head coach Emma Coates in a statement. “She’s an intelligent and proven goal scorer who brings a wealth of experience and leadership. She has a winning mentality, with values that align perfectly with what we’re building here. She’s another important addition to our squad, and we’re excited to see the impact she’ll have.”
Girelli also has a storied career as captain of Italy’s senior national team, earning over 120 caps since 2013. Most recently she helped Italy reach the semifinals of the 2025 UEFA Women’s Euro’s with a brace in Italy’s quarter-final match against Norway. She is also already a member of the Italian Football Hall of Fame earning her induction in 2022.
Bay FC begin their NWSL season on March 14, when they take on the newest NWSL team, Denver Summit FC in their home opener at PayPal park.