FCGP acquires midfielder Camille Abily from L.A.

FC Gold Pride has acquired midfield playmaker Camille Abily from the Los Angeles Sol. Photo: Michael Janosz, isiphotos.com

FC Gold Pride bolstered their attack today by acquiring midfielder and France international Camille Abily from the Los Angeles Sol. Abily, 25, scored eight goals in 18 matches last year, four of which were game-winners. In exchange for the 2009 WPS All-Star and the 20th pick in this year’s draft, FCGP sent midfielder Tina DiMartino, the 14th overall selection in the 2010 draft, and the rights to one of FC Gold Pride’s 2009 International Discovery Players.

“We are pleased to welcome Camille to the Pride and look forward to her arrival in the Bay Area,” says FC Gold Pride Head Coach Albertin Montoya. “She has tremendous instinct on the field, her vision and decision making skills are right on point.   Based on her performance in 2009, I’m sure everyone is aware of what she can do on the field. Abily is a very dynamic player, I’m confident she’ll be very successful here in the Bay Area.”

Abily made her debut with France in 2001 at the age of 16 and has since earned close to 50 caps. The two-time French player of the year led Les Bleues to a quarterfinal finish in the UEFA Women’s Euro 2009, where she scored twice, one on an acrobatic back-heel to give her side a draw with Norway and a berth in the quarterfinals. Abily’s eight goals in WPS play last season tied her for second in the league with the Washington Freedom’s Abby Wambach.

Abily is currently on loan to Paris Saint-Germain but will report to the Pride’s pre-season camp in March. She has also played with Montpellier Hérault SC and Olympique Lyonnais in her native France.