ORLANDO, Fla. (Dec. 14, 2023) — The Orlando Pride and midfielder Luana Bertolucci Paixão, more commonly known as Luana, have agreed to a contract through the 2025 season, with a mutual option for 2026, it was announced today. Luana recently played with Brazil-based side Corinthians and is a member of the Brazilian national team.
“Luana is an excellent addition to our team. She immediately elevates the quality of our midfield and we couldn’t be more excited to see her in a Pride jersey,” VP of Soccer Operations and General Manager Haley Carter said. “Luana’s been a consistent performer for Brazil in multiple major tournaments and brings the extensive experience of a very prestigious club career. She’s brought championship trophies to the clubs she’s played for, earning several individual awards herself, and her tenacious attitude and commitment to winning fit right in with the high-performance environment and culture we are building.”
“I’m thrilled to join Orlando, as it is a great club in a privileged location, and where I will be able to play alongside amazing players,” Luana said of her signing. “This is a very important step in my career, as I’ve always wanted to play in the NWSL, a very competitive and well-structured league. I hope I can make a smooth transition and adapt as soon as possible, so that I can help my teammates and the Club achieve great things.”
Over the span of Luana’s career, the midfielder has played for four different clubs across seven seasons. Most recently, the midfielder joined Brazilians side Corinthians at the end of 2022, debuting in October and playing the complete 2023 season in her home country. She appeared in 42 matches across all competitions for Corinthians, making 30 starts and scoring four goals while helping lead her club to five titles over her tenure: Supercopa Feminina, Brasileiro Feminino, Paulista Feminino and CONMEBOL Libertadores Feminina in 2023, as well as Copa Paulista in 2022.Â
Over her time in SĂŁo Paulo, the TimĂŁo totaled a 35-5-2 record in matches in which she appeared.
Prior to that, Luana spent time with French powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain for three seasons. She appeared in 21 matches, 11 of which were starts and recorded four goals and two assists. Her role helped the club finish at the top of Division 1 Féminine during the 2020-21 season for the first time in the club’s history.
Luana began her professional career in Norway, playing for Avaldsnes of the top division league Toppserien. She would go on to play in 42 matches and scored 11 goals, including six of them in her first season, and was ultimately named Avaldsnes’ Player of the Year in 2017. In between her time with Avaldnes and PSG, Luana had a stint during the 2019 season with Hwacheon KSPO WFC of the WK League, the top division of women’s football in South Korea.Â
On an international level, Luana has made two FIFA World Cup rosters, appearing in two matches in 2019 and all three of Brazil’s matches in 2023. Across her entire senior team career, she has appeared in 20 matches and tallied three goals and one assist while representing her country. She also helped Brazil lift the Copa América Femenina championship in 2022, playing in three matches.
TRANSACTION: Orlando Pride signs midfielder Luana to a two-year contract through the 2025 season, with a mutual option for 2026.
Luana Bertolucci PaixĂŁo (“Luana”)Â
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-4
Born: May 2, 1993 in Sao Bernardo do Campo, SĂŁo Paulo, Brazil
Hometown: Sao Bernardo do Campo, SĂŁo Paulo, Brazil
Citizenship: BRA
