One thing you have to learn within the lore that is woso and NWSL, is that the fax machines work on their own time. The transfer window may have shut a few days ago, but it seems Angel City FC had a deal in the works, having announced today the signing of Brazilian midfielder, Maiara Niehues, for an undisclosed transfer fee from Portuguese side, Sporting CP. She has signed a three-year deal with Angel City, keeping her with the club through the 2027 season. She will occupy one of ACFC’s international spots and will be eligible to play pending receipt of her International Transfer Certificate (ITC).
📰 #AngelCityFC has signed Brazilian midfielder Maiara Niehues to a three-year contract through 2027. Maiara comes to Angel City from Sporting Clube de Portugal (Sporting CP) for an undisclosed transfer fee. She will occupy one of ACFC’s international spots. pic.twitter.com/QinwhNCkhE
— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) March 27, 2025
“I’m super excited to play for Angel City,” stated Niehues in a statement. “It’s a massive club, with excellent facilities and incredible people. My goal is to help Angel City win championships. I also believe this is the right step in my career. I can’t wait to join this special club and play in front of the fans!”
“Maiara is a box-to-box midfielder with a tremendous future and we are delighted to welcome her to Angel City,” said ACFC Sporting Director Mark Parsons in a statement. “Maiara has shown in the Brazil youth national team and for Sporting CP in Portugal that she is ready to take this step and we believe she can have an important impact for our club over many years.”
The 20-year-old midfielder has spent the past three seasons with Sporting CP, appearing in 57 matches in all competitions, earning 18 goals and three assists in 3,214 minutes on the pitch. Prior to her time with Sporting CP, she played for Brazilian club S.C. Internacional, appearing in matches for their senior, U-20, U-18, U-17, and U-16 teams from 2020 to 2022. She compiled a combined eight goals and four assists in all competitions while helping the club’s U-20 section to a 2022 National Championship appearance.
The fact Mark Parsons referred to her as a box-to-box gives us some insight into where she looks to fit within the team. Midfield has been a sore spot for Angel City the last couple of years, so it’s never a bad idea to get some more options at the position, especially when that option has the ability to create and be dangerous in attack herself.
Thoughts on the new arrival? Leave a comment below!