Chinese women's football striker Wang Shuang joins Racing Louisville in the National Women's Soccer League in the U.S. / Racing Louisville's website
Chinese women's football striker Wang Shuang has joined Racing Louisville, a member of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) in the U.S., the club announced on Wednesday.
Racing Louisville will be the third overseas club Wang plays for in her career after Daejeon Sportstoto of South Korea's WK League and Paris Saint-Germain of Division 1 Feminine in France. She played for her hometown club Wuhan Jianghan University before joining the NWSL and helped Wuhan win the Chinese Women's Super League title in 2020 and 2021.
Wang Shuang of China celebrates after scoring a goal in the Asian Football Confederation Women's Asian Cup game against Chinese Taipei in Mumbai, India, January 20, 2022. /CFP
"We are excited to welcome Wang Shuang to Racing Louisville, and we thank her former club for working with us to make this signing happen," Racing Louisville's manager Kim Björkegren said. "We expect that Wang will help us with assists and goals, of course, but at the end of the day, we also believe she will help us achieve better results. She fits into this group as a team-first player. We can't wait to see what she can do in our shirt."
The ace striker of the Chinese women's national team, Wang scored 39 goals in 117 games for the franchise and led the team to win the championship at the Asian Football Federation Women's Asian Cup in February.
"Many of my national team teammates joined foreign clubs this year. More and more of the Women's Super League games were broadcast. Teenage players who love football are being found from the mountains," Wang posted on Chinese social media platform Sina Weibo. "Women's football is receiving more attention. I must grow better to be worth such attention. It places pressure on my shoulders but motivates me as well."
Wang Shuang (#7) of China dribbles in the Asian Football Confederation Women's Asian Cup final against South Korea at DY Patil in Navi Mumbai, India, February 6, 2022. /CFP
"From my first overseas trip nine years ago to the third time today, I have always believed that 'the harder you work, the luckier you will be.' I have been working hard to improve my performance and make the world see the Chinese women's team," Wang said.
"I want to tell the world we have not only the spirit of never giving up but also the confidence of stepping onto the pitch. Like my teammates, we travel overseas today to come back in better form."
Wang revealed that her number in Racing Louisville will be 77, as 7 is her lucky number. According to People's Daily, she has already arrived in the U.S. and has joined the team for training and practice.