The North Carolina Courage have signed Canadian goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan to a two-year, fully guaranteed contract that lasts through the 2027 NWSL season, the team announced on Thursday.
“I can’t wait to join the Courage and bring my family to North Carolina. This team’s soccer style and tactics are very exciting and match my playing style. I’m looking forward to working with the team and preparing for a great season this year,” Sheridan said in the announcement.
This announcement follows the unexpected news from December, when Sheridan and the San Diego Wave mutually agreed to end her contract, which was supposed to run until the 2026 NWSL season. She had previously signed a four-year extension with the California club in July 2023.
Sheridan is expected to step into the starting role in North Carolina, taking the place of Casey Murphy, who recently signed with the expansion team Boston Legacy.
“We’re excited to welcome Kailen Sheridan to the club. She is an elite goalkeeper with extensive experience, and her leadership and skills will significantly improve our team. Kailen’s strong mindset and professionalism will be crucial both on and off the field, and we are confident she will help us reach our goals,” said Courage Chief Soccer Officer Ceri Bowley.
The only other goalkeeper under contract with the Courage is Madison White, a Texas Tech graduate who recently signed a three-year deal after being drafted by Racing Louisville in the 2024 NWSL Draft. Though she has not yet played in the NWSL, she has gained experience on loan with Dallas Trinity in the USL Super League. Marisa Jordan, who was previously under contract, has been traded to Kansas City. Meanwhile, the Wave currently has no goalkeepers signed for the upcoming season.
Sheridan joined the Wave in 2022 and made all 86 starts in her regular-season appearances over four seasons. She played a key role in helping the Wave win the NWSL Shield in 2023 and the NWSL Challenge Cup in 2024. During her first season in San Diego, she received the NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year award and was named to the Best XI first team. Before joining San Diego, she played for Sky Blue FC/Gotham FC, where she won the NWSL Challenge Cup Golden Glove in 2020 and was included in the 2021 NWSL Best XI.
On the international stage, Sheridan plays for the Canadian women’s national team, where she is the starting goalkeeper. The 30-year-old has made 63 appearances for Canada and was part of the team that won gold at the 2021 Olympics. She also won the Golden Glove at the 2022 Concacaf W Championship and was named to the tournament’s Best XI.
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