The Houston Dash have signed rookie midfielder Kiki Van Zanten to a one-year contract, through the 2024 season with an option for 2025, the team announced today.
“Kiki brings versatility and pace to our midfield, and we’re thrilled to have her on board. She is creative and deceptive on the ball, and we’re excited to see her potential after an impressive college career and international showing,” said Alex Singer, general manager Houston Dash.
Van Zanten is set to begin her rookie regular season tomorrow as the Dash travel to North Carolina to face the Courage on Sat., March 16 at 6 p.m. CT. The midfielder had a strong preseason showing and scored in a preseason friendly against Washington Spirit earlier this month. The Jamaican international was selected by Houston with No. 21 overall pick in the draft after the Dash traded $120,000 in allocation money to Utah Royals FC on draft night.
Van Zanten shared, “My time at Notre Dame was incredibly formative, and I’m grateful for the experiences that have shaped me as a player. The support and environment I have found there have prepared me for this next chapter.”
While in college at Norte Dame, she scored 27 goals and tallied nine assists in 95 appearances for the Fighting Irish. Van Zanten helped Notre Dame reach the NCAA tournament four times and reached the semifinals of the ACC Women’s Soccer Tournament in 2022.
Van Zanten represented Jamaica at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand last summer before returning to Norte Dame for her final year. The Buffalo Grove, IL native also featured for the Reggae Girlz at the 2022 Concacaf Women’s Championship where she scored the game-winning goal to secure a berth in the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.
