OL Legends Bouhaddi and Marozsán Sign with OL Reign for 2021 Season

OL Reign has signed French international goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi and German international midfielder Dzsenifer Marozsán on loan from Olympique Lyonnais. The loan will commence at the end of OL’s 2020/2021 season and run through December 2021.

“By loaning Sarah and Dzsenifer to OL Reign, we take a step further to achieve one of the key goals of our project in the United States: to keep building a team able to compete with the best clubs in the world,” said OL Groupe president Jean-Michel Aulas. “Both players bring a lot to the football ambitions of OL. They helped us win many trophies and they delivered the club honors which are unprecedented in the history of sport worldwide.”

Aulas continued, “with OL Reign they will get the special opportunity to live a new challenge and bring their experience to this unique football project, after which they will return to finish their career at OL.”

Marozsán and Bouhaddi were both signed to NWSL contracts that utilize allocation money. Both players will require OL Reign to use an international slot, leaving OL Reign with two remaining for the 2021 NWSL season.

“I must first thank Jean-Michel, Vincent [Ponsot], Tony [Parker], and Jean Luc [Vasseur] for their commitment, flexibility, and tireless efforts to make this loan happen. Sarah and Dzsenifer are incredible talents who will make an immediate impact to our team,” said OL Reign CEO Bill Predmore. “It has been a long process to see this day come to fruition, but one that was well worth the wait. Over the past months we made several trades, loans, and other roster moves to free up the needed cap space and roster spots, while working to acquire the international slots, allocation money, and the other assets required to make these signings possible. We are pleased this process is now complete and are excited to see the players on the pitch when they arrive in June.”

Bouhaddi, 34, is a native of Cannes, France. She is the reigning Best FIFA Goalkeeper and is celebrated as one of the most successful goalkeepers in the history of the game. In her nearly twelve seasons with Olympique Lyonnais, she has won Division 1 Féminine eleven times, won the Coupe de France Féminine trophy eight times, and has won the UEFA Women’s Champions League an incredible seven times, including the last five in a row.

Bouhaddi has also amassed 149 caps playing for France, including appearances at the 2007, 2011, 2015, and 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games, and the 2005, 2009, 2013, and 2017 UEFA Women’s European Championships. 

“Coming to OL Reign is a great opportunity that Olympique Lyonnais offers me. I thank them for the chance, and I also take this opportunity to thank OL Reign for welcoming me,” said OL goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi. “Since I was a little child, I have watched the US national team. They are way ahead of what is happening in Europe. The American league and the fans have made me dream about playing in the US, but I didn’t come just to have a dream—I came to learn, to discover a new experience, and above all, to win as many matches as possible and win the championship.

“Today my priority is Olympique Lyonnais and the goals we have set together. But in June, I will invest everything into this new experience with a lot of passion and excitement. OL Reign fans, see you soon!”

Head coach Farid Benstiti is thrilled at the opportunity to add Bouhaddi and Marozsán to his squad in June.

“I have a long history with Sarah and am very much looking forward to working with her again,” said OL Reign head coach Farid Benstiti. “She is an incredible goalkeeper—a modern goalkeeper. Smart, great with the ball at her feet, and such a strong leader on the field. She will add so much to the team.

“And Dzsenifer, what can I say? She is an incredible talent that I have long admired. When I was in Paris, I wanted her to join so badly, but she instead went to Lyon. But perhaps it was fate—I have always wanted the chance to work with her, and now I finally will have the opportunity.

“She is player who changes games with her presence. Like all players—and coaches—coming to the NWSL she will need time to adapt, but once she does, I know she will be incredible. You will see. Incredible.”

Dzsenifer Marozsán, 28, is a native of Budapest, Hungary. The midfielder moved to Germany as a child and has played internationally for the German Women’s National Team since 2010, amassing over 100 caps while winning the 2013 UEFA Women’s European Championship and collecting a gold medal at the 2016 Olympics.

She began her professional career with FC Saarbrücken of the Frauen-Bundesliga at the age of 14. She moved to FFC Frankfurt for the 2009/2010 season, playing seven seasons with the club. Dzsenifer won her first Champions League medal during the 2014/2015 tournament with FFC Frankfurt and was runner-up in the competition in 2011/2012.

Marozsán moved to Olympique Lyonnais for the 2016/2017 season. In her nearly five seasons with OL, Marozsán has won Division 1 Féminine four times, won the Coupe de France Féminine trophy three times, and has won the UEFA Women’s Champions League four times.

“I would like to thank Olympique Lyonnais and OL Reign for giving me the opportunity to play in the NWSL. I know many players who played in the US and they told me about a lot of positive experiences, which got me excited to play there as well,” said Marozsán. “I am always eager to improve myself, and in my opinion, I can learn a lot of the US style of the game and the mentality.

“I also want to win everything we can in this season.”

Marozsán continued, “additionally, women soccer’s is very popular in the United States and I am looking forward to playing in such an atmosphere. I am really excited to get to know a new country, new city, and new people. See you in June OL Reign fans!”

Jess Fishlock, who played with Bouhaddi at OL and Marozsán at both FFC Frankfurt and OL is very familiar with what the players will bring to OL Reign and to the NWSL.

“I am so, so excited to have these players join OL Reign,” said OL Reign midfielder Jess Fishlock. “I have been fortunate to play alongside them before and it brings a huge smile to my face knowing I will get to do it again.

“They will both add a huge amount of quality and experience to our squad and to the league as a whole, and they will also bring a different type of culture and a winning mentality that I think our group can thrive off. They are used to winning. They will want to win. They know how to win. That in a locker room is priceless. I am especially looking forward to the link up with Maro, who I have played with twice before. She is truly incredible.”