Current add another Brazilian star

The Kansas City Current announced that they have signed Brazilian star Beatriz Zaneratto João. The talented attacker has signed a contract through the 2024 season with a club option for 2025. She will be added to the roster pending the receipt of her P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC). The KC Soccer Journal reported this was likely a few days ago as well as more potential moves.

“Bia is an extraordinary talent that will impact our team immediately,” said general manager Camille Ashton via press release. “We are excited to welcome her to Kansas City.”

Better known as Bia, she started her professional career at just 13 years old when she signed with  Brazilian professional club Ferroviária. Bia moved on to play for Santos in 2010,  and then the before transferring to Santos in 2010, Bangu in 2011, and Vitoria in 2012. She then left to play for South Korean side Incheon Hyundai Steel Red Angels where she scored 76 goals in 103 matches from 2013-2019.

Another Brazilian superstar in KC 🇧🇷

Bem-Vinda @biazaneratto 👑 pic.twitter.com/XnXvOvT8mU

— KC Current (@thekccurrent) January 22, 2024

In 2020 she played nine games for Wuhan Jianghan University in the Chinese Women’s Super League, scoring seven goals before going back to Brazil on loan with Palmeiras. During that time she was alongside her new Current teammate Temwa Chawinga.

Bia’s loan was made permanent in 2022. Across 39 matches for Palmeiras Bia scored 30 goals.

“Bia’s goal scoring ability, creativity in and around the box are extraordinary,” said head coach Vlatko Andonovski via press release. “She is a world-class forward, proven in club and country.”

For her country, Bia made her debut at the age of 14, representing Brazil at the 2008 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Her senior side career started not long after where she has a total of 103 appearances with 36 goals. She has played in four FIFA World Cups (2011, 2015, 2019, 2023) and two Olympic games (2016, 2020).

In the most recent World Cup, Bia scored a magnificent team goal that included Current teammate Debinha in the build-up and was nominated for a Puskas award.

Bia joins fellow Brazilian national team players Debinha and Lauren for the Current as they prepare to open their new stadium for the 2024 NWSL season. Current fans should expect at least another two signings in the near future as the club readies to head to Florida for preseason training.

Beatriz Zaneratto João, known as Bia | Credit: KC Current