SANTA CLARA, Calif. (February 13, 2009)- FC Gold Pride, Bay Area Franchise of Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS)announced today, the signing of Japanese footballer Eriko Arakawa, Brazilian midfielder Adriane and Bay Area native Tracy Hamm.

Arakawa, an established star on the Japanese national team, has been playing for her country’s senior women’s national team since 2000, making her debut in the Pan Pacific Games on June 10 against Canada. Since then, she has appeared in two World Cups (2003, 2007) and two Olympic Games for Japan and has helped lead the rise of Japan’s women’s soccer in recent years, leading her country to a semi-final appearance in the 2008 Beijing Games. The star forward also plays for NTV Belza of the L-League in Japan. Arakawa was selected by FC Gold Pride as the first pick in the third round of the WPS International Draft.

“We have added one of the most creative attacking forwards in the world in Eriko,” said FC Gold Pride Head Coach Albertin Montoya. “She has proven herself time and time again in on the international stage and in Japan’s highly competitive L- League. What makes her dangerous is her pace, she can beat just about anyone on the dribble, she possesses superior technical skills and she’s a lethal finisher.”

“I think our forwards will complement each other very well. We have a combination of strength, power, speed and creativity that is not seen very often in the game,” added Montoya.

Brazilian, Adriane joins her fellow national teammate Formiga, officially signing with FC Gold Pride. Adriane, the youngest player on the Pride Roster at 21 years of age, has twice represented her country in the U20 Women’s World Cup, most recently helping her team to the quarter-finals in Chile. WPS-playing rights for the young midfielder were obtained by FC Gold Pride who named her as a post-draft discovery player.

Bay Area native Tracy Hamm was selected by FC Gold Pride in the sixth pick in the fourth round (27th overall) in the WPS General Draft. The Moraga resident attended Cal (2003-2006) where she was a four-year letter winner, as part of the back line for the Golden Bears. Hamm earned the honor of Cal’s Freshman of the Year in 2003 as the team’s leading goal scorer. Most recently, Hamm played for the California Storm of the WPSL in 2008.

Arakawa, Adriane and Hamm will all be present when training camp opens on March 1.