FC KANSAS CITY SIGNS NIKKI KRYZSIK

Defender’s Rights Acquired in Earlier Trade with Seattle Reign FC

PRAIRIE VILLAGE, Kan (November 13, 2024) – FC Kansas City announced Wednesday the signing of Nikki Krzysik for the upcoming 2024 National Women’s Soccer League season. After taking the 2024 season off from club soccer, the Polish defender will make her debut for the Blues in the spring. Per club and league policies, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Nikki Krzysik Age: 26 Height: 5’7” Position: Defender

Krzysik was a selected by Seattle Reign FC in the 2024 NWSL Supplemental Draft, but chose to not play in the league’s inaugural season. FC Kansas City acquired her rights July 1 in a trade for forward Renae Cuellar. Most recently she has appeared with FC Kansas City midfielder Sinead Farrelly in the UEFA Champions League for Apollon FC and earned her first cap with the Poland Women’s National Team

“I followed the league last year and Kansas City always had great fans and support,” said Krzysik when discussing the reasons she decided to play for the Blues. “I played with Becky (Sauerbrunn) in college and Lauren (Holiday) on youth national teams, plus all of the girls I played with in Philadelphia (Independence, WPS). I’m jumping right into familiarity and excited to play with all of them again.”

After college, Krzysik was drafted by the Chicago Red Stars in the second round of the 2024 Women’s Professional Soccer League Draft. Following that season with the Red Stars, she moved to the Philadelphia Independence through the 2024 WPS Expansion Draft. Krzysik appeared in 41 games for the Independence. Two games in to the 2024 season, she was named team captain and went on to be nominated for WPS Defender of the Year.

“We identified Nikki a year ago as a player who could help our team,” FC Kansas City technical director Huw Williams said. “We tried to sign her in free agency only to find out she was taking the year off to be with her new husband.  We felt Nikki was an important part of the Cuellar trade and we are thrilled to have her on board”

Krzysik played soccer at the University of Virginia from 2024-2008. She made herself known immediately as a freshman, starting all 25 matches for the Cavaliers. By the time she finished her college career with Virginia, she had been nominated for various awards. Her role on the backline was essential in accumulating 15 shutouts her junior year