Houston Dash midfielder Haley Hanson will compete in Australia’s W-League with Melbourne Victory during the NWSL offseason, the club announced overnight. The transaction is pending the transfer of Hanson’s International Transfer Certificate.
Hanson was a key member of Houston’s backline last season when she transitioned from playing in the midfield to right back. The Kansas native played in every regular-season game, earning 20 starts in 23 games.
“I’m so excited to join Melbourne Victory for this upcoming season,” Hanson said. “I’m thrilled that I get to experience my first taste of the W-League with a team that is filled with talented players and committed staff members. I can already tell that this is going to be a special group and I can’t wait to get to work.”
Hanson will form part of Melbourne Victory’s squad during this NWSL offseason for the first time in her professional career. This year, Hanson earned the captain band for the U-23 U.S. Women’s National team when they traveled to England in Aug. 28 to win the Nordic Cup. Hanson, who earned her senior U.S. Women’s National cap last year on April 8, was drafted by the Dash with the seventh overall selection in the 2018 NWSL College Draft.
