HOUSTON (April 20, 2024) – The Houston Dash acquired defender Paige Nielsen in a trade with Angel City FC, both teams announced today. The Dash will send Angel City FC $50,000 in Allocation Money and $50,000 in Intra-League Transfer Funds as part of the transaction.
Nielsen brings nearly a decade of professional experience to the Dash after competing in the NWSL, Australia’s W-League, Europe and Korea. She spent the last two seasons with Angel City, reaching the quarterfinals of the 2023 postseason. She was selected in the 2022 NWSL Expansion Draft by Angel City after three campaigns with the Washington Spirit. Nielsen won the 2021 NWSL Championship with the Spirit and reached the quarterfinals of the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup.
The defender began her professional career with Seattle Reign FC after being selected with the No. 25 overall pick in the 2016 NWSL College Draft. She spent time with Apollon Ladies FC in Cyprus and three years in Australia with the Western Sydney Wanderers (2016-2017) and Canberra United (2018). Her accolades include the 2012 NCAA Championship with the University of North Carolina.
The defender will join Houston in the coming days as the team prepares for a trip to Salt Lake City to face the Utah Royals.
