Italian Star Cristiana Girelli Makes Bold Move from Juventus to Bay FC in Groundbreaking American Switch
Bay FC requires offensive reinforcement. Following their playoff appearance during their debut 2024 campaign, the squad experienced a difficult second year, placing ninth out of ten teams in 2025 with just 26 goals—the fewest in the National Women's Soccer League.
The solution could involve acquiring Italy's all-time leading scorer and Serie A women's 2024–25 top goal-getter Cristiana Girelli. The Juventus legend will join Bay on loan until August 2026. During her tenure, Girelli aims to contribute her scoring ability and "fino alla fine" (until the end) philosophy to the organization while developing both athletically and personally.
"The NWSL has always represented a league I consider among the world's finest, perhaps the premier competition, due to its competitive nature and stadium environments," Girelli exclusively shares with Sports Illustrated. "From my initial conversation with the coach, I recognized the club's aspirations and felt appreciated."
The 35-year-old's nearly twenty-year professional journey has included just three teams, with most of that period spent at six-time Serie A champions Juventus. Throughout this time, she has netted 250 goals across Italian clubs, capturing the Golden Boot three times and MVP recognition in 2024–25. This accompanies her 120 international appearances and 61 goals for Italy's National Team, plus a Ballon d'Or nomination last year.
Girelli Brings Winning Mentality to Bay FC
Girelli Brings Winning Mentality to Bay FC
"We're thrilled to welcome Cristiana to Bay FC," stated head coach Emma Coates. "She's a smart and accomplished goal scorer who contributes extensive experience and leadership qualities. She possesses a championship mindset, with principles that match perfectly with our vision. She represents another significant addition to our roster, and we're eager to witness her influence."
Departing Juventus represented a major choice for Girelli. When speculation about her exit emerged weeks earlier, supporters flooded social media, showing disbelief and sorrow over their club icon's departure. Girelli understands fans were caught off guard, but athletic careers are brief, and she believed it was time to pursue something different before the opportunity passed.
"I understand supporters were very surprised by this decision and that represented the most difficult aspect of my choice," Girelli explains. "On one side, I recognized I had the chance and opportunity to experience something different in an innovative, competitive league like the [NWSL]. I felt compelled to test myself, to challenge myself differently, creating a valuable experience both professionally and personally.
"On the other side, obviously I carried the burden, the responsibility, the connection I have with Juventus because it's been eight incredible years. It's like leaving a lifelong love. But I felt this urge to try something new before time ran out. I'm definitely not escaping anything. This, I want to emphasize, is simply a desire to discover new things, to challenge myself and give my career renewed energy."
Most appearances (238) for Le Bianconere ✨
150th goal in black and white 🔥
A record-breaking weekend for Cristiana Girelli 🤍🖤#UWCL || @juventusfcen pic.twitter.com/k8KoHvoMoh
Girelli hopes to make an instant impact with her new California team. The Gavardo, Italy native hasn't needed to venture far from home for her club career, but now she'll place over 6,000 miles and nine time zones between the Bay Area and her homeland. The transition is substantial for Girelli, but represents an opportunity she couldn't refuse.
"I'm truly excited to join Bay, meet my future teammates, the coaching staff, and master a new playing style," she states. "I'm eager to contribute to the team, adjust, and embrace the experience while exploring a new location. California is gorgeous and the Bay Area is incredible."
Girelli now becomes the fourth Italian player to move to the NWSL from Serie A since July 2025 when Washington Spirit acquired Sofia Cantore from Juventus. Subsequently, Houston Dash signed Lisa Boattin from Juventus and the Spirit added Lucia Di Guglielmo from Roma—all three have provided her extensive guidance as she embarks on her California adventure.
"The main thing they told me is that I'll love it here, so I believe them," Girelli says with a chuckle.
She recognizes that the four of them are creating history by joining a league like the NWSL, and she attributes Le Azzurre's showing at last year's UEFA Women's Euros as the driving force behind this trend.
"The Euros allowed us to demonstrate our abilities beyond Italy," she explains. "Women's football in Italy is expanding significantly, and the fact that numerous clubs outside Italy and Europe are now interested in our football is wonderful and makes us proud. If a league like the NWSL or another elite competition is watching us and wants us, it indicates we're doing something right in Italy."
Beyond the field, Girelli is arguably the most recognized women's soccer player in her nation and internationally. Most recently, she scored three goals across five Euros matches, leading the underdog Italians to a semi-final clash with eventual winners England. She has since become an even stronger advocate for advancing women's soccer in Italy—a lengthy process that still requires progress.
🎙️ L'intervento di Cristiana #Girelli al Quirinale nel corso dell'incontro con il Presidente della Repubblica Sergio Mattarella#Nazionale #Azzurre #LeAzzurreSiamoNoi pic.twitter.com/wyZsUqQUM0
'Amazing' NWSL Stadiums a Source of Inspiration
'Amazing' NWSL Stadiums a Source of Inspiration
In America, Girelli observes the future of women's soccer in Italy: where venues sell out for club matches, where players receive respect, and where people invest because they recognize women's soccer's potential for both club and country. While viewing NWSL games from Italy, Girelli was impressed by consistently packed stadiums and excellent atmospheres. She hopes this will occur for Italian women's football soon.
"I wish we could achieve that level of stadium attendance in Italy because Serie A has quality," she notes. "The NWSL venues are incredible, and consistently well-attended. When you compete in sports, it's emotional, [so you want to play] before large crowds with fantastic atmosphere, like when we traveled with the national team to face the U.S. women's national team. I hope we'll soon have this type of support in our Italian stadiums."
Before Girelli departs for the United States, she has several matters to handle in Italy. She's currently representing Le Azzurre during the March international period and will join Bay after the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifying matches against Sweden March 3 and Denmark March 7. During this time, she'll spend quality time with family and friends and savor final Italian coffees—while anticipating her American experience.
"I'll miss my family, my two nephews, my friends, but as I explained to them, they remain with me, even across nine time zones," she says.
Bay FC will begin their season at home on Mar. 14 against expansion team Denver Summit FC at PayPall Park, and Girelli is anxious to get started, meet her teammates, and demonstrate to Bay supporters exactly how much she can contribute to a team seeking to return to the playoffs for the first time since their inaugural campaign.
"I'm truly excited to meet the supporters at the venue, and I hope it will be a successful season," Girelli states. "I promise to give everything every day for Bay."
This interview has been translated partially from the original Italian.