Seattle Reign signings of the week

During the 2018 NWSL College Draft, Seattle Reign selected Spanish national team defender Celia Jiménez Delgado and officially signed her to the team this week for the upcoming season.

The University of Alabama alum was the 36th overall pick for the Reign in the fourth round and is the first player in her college history to be drafted to the NWSL.

"I am so excited for Celia," said Alabama head coach Wes Hart. "She certainly deserves this. She was an incredible player at Alabama and I have no doubt that she will do great in Seattle! They got a

fantastic player and an even better person. This is a big day for Celia and Alabama Soccer!"

Jiménez will also play in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup | Source: Alabama Athletics

This past June Jiménez graduated from Alabama with a degree in aerospace engineering. After completing her degree, she trained with the Reign in Seattle as she also played for Seattle Sounders Women where she participated in the 2018 WPSL Championship.

Following her time in Seattle, the international defender played in Sweden with FC Rosengård this August and recorded 524 minutes of playing time on the pitch.

Jiménez has made appearances with the U-17 and U-19 Spanish teams. She also played in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup for the Spanish national team and currently has 19 caps.

“Signing with Reign FC to compete in the NWSL is a dream come true,” said Jiménez. “I am excited to become the best player I can be to help my team reach their 2019 season goals.”

Seattle re-signings from the week

Along with signing players from the draft, the Reign also resigned forward Jasmyne Spencer and midfielder Morgan Andrews for the 2019 season.

Spencer has been in the NWSL since 2013 and has played with the Washington Spirit, Western New York Flash, and the Orlando Pride before joining the Reign.

Spencer was recruited through a trade with the Orlando Pride | Source: Seattle Reign FC

She came to Seattle in a trade with the Orlando Pride and this past season recorded 1,027 minutes of playing time as she made 23 caps out of the 25 matches in the 2018 season.

“Jasmyne came in and had an immediate impact on our club last year,” said Reign FC head coach Vlatko Andonovski. “Her speed is a valuable weapon for us and her energy and toughness on the pitch make her a great player to coach.”

During the NWS off-season, Spencer is on loan to Melbourne City FC in the Australian W-League. So far in their six games she has scored four goals. Spencer will return with the Reign for training for the upcoming season.

Last season was also a first for midfielder Morgan Andrews with the Reign as she was acquired by the 2018 NWSL Dispersal Draft after the Boston Breakers folded.

Andrews returns to Seattle for her second season | Source: The Bent Musket - Amy Pearson

Before coming to Seattle, Andrews contributed to the success of the NCAA College Cup victory for USC in 2016. This past season she started in seven matches and had a total of 16 appearances on the pitch.

“We were thrilled to get a player of Morgan’s caliber when she came over from Boston,” said Andonovski. “She’s an aggressive player who can slot in anywhere in the midfield and do very well. We’re excited to have her back in Seattle for next season.”