KC Current
KC Current Sign 20-year-old Alabama Forward Gianna Paul
The Kansas City Current are up to 26 players with their latest signing (though they still have room to make moves).
The Kansas City Current’s 2026 roster build continues. On Friday, they announced their 4th college player signing of the offseason with the addition of University of Alabama forward Gianna Paul.
Paul joins the club on a three-year guaranteed contract through 2028 with a club option for 2029.
Gianna, despite only being 20 years old (she turns 21 this weekend), played four seasons at Alabama and is the program record holder in goals (40), points (94), shots (279 and shots on target (115). She started 69 of her 90 college games and played over 6,000 minutes.
“Since I was a little girl, I had always dreamed about playing professional soccer,” said Paul. “To say that that is my current reality will never feel short of surreal. I feel honored, blessed and overwhelmingly humbled to be accepted with warm arms and enthusiasm into such an incredible program such as Kansas City. The love they have for the sport of women’s football can be felt across the world and to be a small part of that history means everything to me. Every step of this journey has been led by God’s hand. I’m thankful for the growth, the challenges, and the blessings that brought me here. Additionally, my mother’s decade worth of sacrifices has made me into the woman and player I am today. Quite literally none of this would be possible with her. I’m grateful for the journey and ready for this next chapter with the Kansas City Current—let’s get to work!”
In college, Paul was a 4th team United Soccer Coaches all-American twice. In 2022, she was SEC Freshman of the year. She helped Alabama into the NCAA tournament in three of her four seasons and in 2022 pushed them in as the number one overall seed. Gianna has also represented the United States Youth National Team at the U-18 and U-19 levels.
“Gianna is a dynamic forward who is skilled technically and tactically,” said general manager Ryan Dell. “She had a remarkable collegiate career at Alabama where she rewrote the record book, and we’re confident she’ll use that experience as a springboard to a successful pro career. She has progressed each season and we know she will continue to develop with our world-class technical staff. We couldn’t be happier to have Gianna in Kansas City for the next three years.”
Gianna’s signing, coupled with the stunning release of Alex Pfeiffer on Christmas Eve, brings the KC Current roster to 26 players. Two remain out on loan (Lacho and Mukoma) and DiBernardo is on maternity leave. The team can still add to their roster.
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They have suddenly gotten very young behind the known starters. Cook doesn’t count against the number until she returns, right? The Current site is usually very quick about curating the roster online, but they still have Ivory and Hamilton on there. I suppose Hamilton isn’t officially retired until 12/31 or something.
I know you will, but please keep digging on the Pfeiffer story. It seems bizarre with no other context.
It looks like she is a field stretching type. I can imagine her as Chawinga’s primary backup so that they don’t have to reinvent their system when she isn’t on the field like they had to last year.
Found an Alabama vs South Carolina from early fall to watch Paul. She was used as both a hold-up forward and out on the left wing (where she scored her goal). Great work rate/size (5’10). Didn’t show Temwa like speed but a solid depth signing.
Maybe I’m still butt hurt about losing Pfieffer but I felt the best attacker in the game was Katie Shea Collins from USC (who has transferred to Duke). Like I said Paul is a solid signing but I’m going need something more after losing Pfieffer and probably Bia to be happy. Also, midfield depth is needed.