SANDY, UTAH (Monday, August 31, 2020) – Utah Royals FC have re-signed defender Rachel Corsie to a two-year deal that will see her stay in Utah through the 2022 season. Additionally, the team has agreed to loan Corsie to Birmingham City Women FC in the FA Women’s Super League through March 5, 2021.
“I am absolutely delighted to sign another extension to stay at this club, where I have been made to feel at home,” Corsie said. “The opportunity to play for these fans is a great privilege. The standards and expectations that are set here make it one of the top environments to be in and I cannot wait to be back and hopefully be part of a successful future.”
Corsie has been with the club since its inception in 2018 as part of the first-ever Utah Royals FC squad. In three years she has appeared in 48 matches, including five during the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup presented by P&G and Secret, and has recorded one goal and one assist. She has registered the second-most appearances and minutes in club history, behind midfielder Gunny Jónsdóttir.
“We are delighted to have Corsie continue with the club,” General Manager Stephanie Lee said. “Corsie is a leader on and off the field, and her experience with this team, in the league and abroad is invaluable to our defense.”
This summer during the NWSL Challenge Cup Corsie served as the anchor in the team’s new three-back system, appearing in all five matches.
“Corsie is special, her combination of skills is special, her mindset on top of that is special,” Head Coach Craig Harrington said. “Rachel is a good centerback and a great person as well, which I like a lot. We know by keeping her at the club we keep a really good player here.”
Additionally, beginning in October, the Scotland-native will spend this offseason with her national team, and aid in their continued efforts to qualify for the UEFA Women’s Championship. Her loan to Birmingham City will put her in closer proximity and will help cut down on quarantine time set in place due to COVID-19.
Her loan to Birmingham City will mark the second time the defender has spent time playing in England, having previously suited up for Notts County where she was a runner-up to the Women’s FA Cup.
Birmingham City is a founding member of the WSL, the top-flight of professional women’s soccer in England. Last season the club finished 11th out of 12 clubs, narrowly facing regulation to the FA Women’s Championship. The team is led by first-year Head Coach Carla Ward.
