As reported by Rob Pratley, Kerolin Nicoli is set to make a move to Manchester City. The club is about to lose Chloe Kelly either this winter or in the summer when her contract expires. At the same time City is linked to Jule Brand (source Kathryn Batte).
Update: Kerolin signed a deal until 2028 with Manchester City.
Arsenal was also in talks with the Brazilian football player but those talks cooled in December 2024. A third party was interested in signing Kerolin: Paris Saint-Germain. However, the French football club is currently not playing Women’s Champions League football, which was a complication for the player. Find out what we can expect form Kerolin in the WSL. She is 2023 Most Valued Player and a free agent.
Season-Ending injury in the season’s finale
On October 21st 2023 NC Courage placed Kerolin Nicoli on the Season-Ending injury list. The Brazilian forward tore her ACL during the regular season’s finale against Washington Spirit.
Kerolin just had a breakout season: scoring ten goals and three assists. She was invaluable for her team, scoring the winning goal in the Challenge Cup Final, making the best XI of the Month twice and scoring a hat-trick against the Chicago Red Stars. The 25-year old returned in September 2024, scoring her first goal in her second match since the return.
Kerolin is a free agent
NC Courage announced Kerolin’s departure: “Forever our MVP. Kerolin Nicoli has informed the club she intends to pursue free agency. Thanks for making history with us, Kero, we wish you all the best.”
The rumours that connected her to Manchester City, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain started moments later. Manchester City are in desperate need to strenghten their squad. With Lauren Hemp and Bunny Shaw not returning anytime soon. The Gunners seemingly backed out of the talks when the player wanted a higher salary than the club offered.
Besides that there are some concerns around Kerolin’s fitness. Manchester City seems willing to take that risk but Gareth Taylor admitted: “There’s no update. It’s really difficult to give you any news while there are many wheels still whirring. We’re working tremendously hard behind the scenes to try and help and support the squad a little bit more. Losing Alex (Greenwood), Lauren (Hemp) and Bunny (Shaw), three really key players, is tough for any team. We’re trying to get that necessary support but we’re operating in a difficult window. But there is still a bit of time left.”
Paris Saint-Germain was willingly to sort out the salary demands but the club is not active in the Women’s Champions League this season. That stopped Kerolin from pursuing a move there. NC Courgae already has their replacement: Jaedyn Shaw transferred to the club for half a million dollars.
Club Career Kerolin Nicoli
The Brazilian international spend her early football career at Valinhos, Ponte Preta, Osasco Audax and Palmeiras. After the football player failed a doping test she was suspended by CONMEBOL in 2019. She had to serve her ban until 2021 but was able to sign with Madrid CFF after. During her time with Madrid CFF she appeared in 24 matches for a total of 1,588 minutes of playing time, scoring five goals.
Her success at Madrid CFF earned her a transfer to NC Courage in January 2022. The forward signed a three year deal, which expired in January 2025.
International career Kerolin
Her most recent international appearances were during the Women’s World Cup 2023 and the Paris 2024 Olympics. Kerolin scored a goal during the semifinals against Spain. Her team eventually lost the final against the United States.
Kerolin represented Brazil on the international stage before the major tournaments:
- 2016 South American U17 Women’s Championship.
- 2016 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup.
- 2018 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup (scoring two goals in three games).
Her great performance at the youth World Cup drew the attention of the senior team, leading to her first call-up in September 2018. She played seven matches for Brazil’s senior national team in 2021 and scored five goals.
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