Jennifier Cudjoe: “This is a dream for me.” (Photo courtesy of Sky Blue FC)

HARRISON, N.J. – Sky Blue FC has signed midfielder Jennifer Cudjoe to a multi-year deal, the National Women’s Soccer League club announced Friday.

As per club and league policies, further details of the contract were not disclosed.

The deal will mark the Ghanaian international’s second contract with Sky Blue FC as Cudjoe earned a short-term contract after impressing coaches during open tryouts.

“I am excited to continue my journey with Sky Blue,” Cudjoe said in a statement. “This is a dream for me, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity they gave me. I want to thank each of my teammates for welcoming me with open arms and helping me grow as a player. I am going to give my all to the Club and work harder to help achieve our goal.”

While on the short-term contract, Cudjoe appeared in all six matches, starting four, during the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup. During her 368 minutes, Cudjoe completed 128 passes for an 80.5 percent completion rate.

“I am really pleased to have Jennifer continue with the team following her successful debut at the Challenge Cup,” Sky Blue FC head coach Freya Coombe said in a statement. “Jennifer eats, sleeps, and breathes football. Her enthusiasm is infectious in the team. She brings a different dimension to the midfield and I look forward to helping her continue on the next step of her incredible journey.”

Cudjoe. 26, represented Ghana in the FIFA Under-17 and U-20 Women’s World Cups. She went on the play for Ghana’s full team, the Black Queens. Cudjoe also was named the 2015 female footballer of the year by the Sports Writers Association of Ghana.

In the U.S., the 5-6 Cudjoe began her career at Northeastern State University, earning the 2014 NJCAA Player of the Year award. Following college, she played for Asheville City SC in the Women’s Premier Soccer League and was named to the league’s all-star team three times.

“This is the dream, to watch a player earn her way from open tryouts into a full contract with the team,” Sky Blue general manager Alyse LaHue said. “Freya saw something special in Jennifer and it’s been incredible to watch that blossom. We are thrilled to have her stay with us and develop with this long-term opportunity.”

Sky Blue will return to competition as part of the NWSL Fall Series, set to begin Sept. 5. More details, including a schedule, will be released in the coming days.

 

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.