Defender Alex Loera signs new three-year Contract with Kansas City Current

The Kansas City Current announced today that defender Alex Loera has signed a new contract with the club through the 2025 season.

“We are thrilled that Alex wanted to extend her contract through 2025," said co-owners Angie Long and Chris Long. "Her work ethic is the epitome of a championship mentality. She is a determined winner and a huge part of the foundation we are building for the Current.  We look forward to having her in Kansas City for years to come."

Loera was originally drafted by the club with the 36th pick in the 2021 NWSL College Draft. At the time, Loera chose to return to Santa Clara University to finish her final collegiate season.

Loera was named West Coast Conference Defender of the Year for three straight seasons as she helped the Santa Clara Broncos to numerous awards and the 2020 National Championship. She started 97 matches for the Broncos during her college career and helped her team on both ends of the field. She scored seven goals and 15 assists and in her senior season led a defense that only allowed 0.86 goals per game.

"I was lucky enough to end up in KC by chance, thanks to the draft, so when I had the choice to stay three more years it was an easy one,” said Loera. “I am so grateful to Matt and the coaches, Cami, and ownership for my new contract so that I have the ability to work toward bringing home a NWSL championship to Kansas City and our incredible fans who support and love us.”

Debuting for the Current in the 2022 season, Loera played in all seven Challenge Cup matches, and 20 regular season matches. Her Challenge Cup goal against the Chicago Red Stars was featured on ESPN’s SportsCenter Top Plays. Loera took 69 corner kicks for the Current as Kansas City led the league in points off corners. In the team’s playoff run, Loera found the back of the net in the fourth minute, helping her club clinch a berth in the 2022 NWSL Championship game.

“We are so excited to have Alex with the club for the next three years,” said general manager Camille Levin Ashton. “Alex came to camp last season and immediately impressed with her calm demeanor and on-field presence. She’s proven to be a big part of the club’s recent success and as she leads by example, will continue to do so moving forward.”

Loera’s new contract is one of several moves that the Current have put together this offseason, along with a new contract for defender Hailie Mace, free agent acquisitions Morgan Gautrat and Vanessa DiBernardo and the signing of Swedish forward Mimmi Larsson.

The 2023 NWSL Draft will be held January 12 in Philadelphia at the United Soccer Coaches Convention. The Current are scheduled to make eight selections in the four rounds of the draft.