Colombian playmaker Leicy Santos will join the Washington Spirit from Spain’s Atlético Madrid this summer on a three-year contract, the NWSL team announced Tuesday, giving incoming coach Jonatan Giráldez a splashy signing to coincide with his midseason arrival.
Santos, 27, has scored seven goals in 43 appearances for Colombia and represented her national team at two World Cups. Last summer, the attacking midfielder started all fives matches of Colombia’s run to the final eight and memorably scored an audacious chip in the quarterfinal loss to England.
“As an institution, the Spirit has been home to some top players,” Santos said in a news release.