NEED TO KNOW:
- Solaun spent the last two seasons with the North Carolina Courage
- The midfielder made 14 starts in 20 appearances during her two-year stint with North Carolina
- The Jamaican international has also played for the Washington Spirit, Seattle Regin and Norwegian side Kelpp IL
HOUSTON – The Houston Dash have agreed to terms with free agent midfielder Havana Solaun through the 2024 season, the team announced today.
“I am excited to welcome Havana to Houston,” Dash general manager Alex Singer said. “She is a dynamic midfielder who can operate box to box, is creative in small spaces, and breaks lines to create opportunities. Even more important, she is a true professional and her character will be an advantage to our group. We look forward to seeing what she does on both sides of the ball and having her join the group.”
Solaun joins the Dash after a two-year stint with the North Carolina Courage. The 29-year-old finished with 14 starts and 20 appearances for the Courage.
Solan first joined the NWSL in 2015 when she was drafted No. 15 overall in the NWSL College Draft by the Seattle Reign, an injury sidelined her for the rest of the season. After her rookie season, Solaun was traded to the Washington Spirit where she became a key figure in the midfield. During her two seasons with the Spirit, she made 25 starts in 37 appearances and scored five goals.
“I’m eager for the next stop in my soccer career to begin in Houston,” Solaun said. “I have always strived to further challenge my skill set both on and off the field. I am grateful that the Houston Dash will be a part of that challenge as we aim to win a championship.”
In 2019, Solaun transferred to Klepp IL, who competes in Norway’s top women’s division. While with Klepp, Solaun made 19 starts in 20 appearances and scored 10 goals.
Solaun represents Jamaica at the international level and made her debut in March 2019 in a friendly against Chile. The midfielder scored at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France. Her goal against Australia was the first for Jamica in the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
With the addition of Solaun, Houston now has 22 players under contract. The current Houston Dash roster can be found listed below in alphabetical order and by position:
Goalkeepers (3): Jane Campbell, Ella Dederick*, Devon Kerr
Defenders (7): Julia Ashley, Allysha Chapman, Annika Creel*, Caprice Dydasco, Katie Naughton, Natalie Jacobs, Ally Prisock
Midfielders (5): Emily Curran, Shea Groom, Sophie Schmidt, Havana Solaun, Marisa Viggiano
Forwards (7): Michelle Alozie, Joelle Anderson, Ryan Gareis, Paulina Gramaglia, Nichelle Prince*, Ebony Salmon, Maria Sanchez
* = denotes player will start on Season Ending Injury list until cleared to return to play.
TRANSACTION: Houston Dash and free agent Havana Solaun agree to a two-year contract through the 2024 season.
PLAYER PROFILE – HAVANA SOLAUN
FULL NAME: Havana Marguerite Solaun
PRONUNCIATION: SOL-on
DATE OF BIRTH: February 23, 1993
HEIGHT: 5-9
BIRTHPLACE: Sha Tin, British Hong Kong
HOMETOWN: Gainesville, Florida
PREVIOUS CLUB: North Carolina Courage
FIFA NATIONALITY: Jamaica
