Seattle Reign FC announced on Monday that they have traded defender Alana Cook to the Kansas City Current in exchange for $40,000 in allocation money and up to $100,000 in intra-league transfer funds, with $75,000 guaranteed and another $25,000 if certain performance incentives are met. Intra-league transfer funds can be used to spend more than the $500,000 net transfer budget each team is permitted per season.
Cook will join Kansas City for training immediately, and will be available for selection to gameday rosters by the Current when the secondary transfer window opens on August 1.
“I will always appreciate the opportunities and success I experienced during my time with the Reign,” said Cook in a Reign release. “From winning the Shield in 2022 and playing in the Championship in 2023, to representing the United States at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, I feel both proud and excited as I enter this next step in my career. Thank you to my teammates, our supporters and this community for pushing me every day to be the best version of myself.”
Cook first joined the Reign on loan in 2020 from French power Paris Saint-Germain, where she started in three matches of the inaugural Challenge Cup. The Reign were able to sign her to a three-year contract plus an option year after securing her permanent transfer the following year. She is scheduled to become a free agent at the end of the 2024 season.
Cook made 84 appearances (81 starts) in all competitions for the Reign, earning two assists while also being named to the NWSL Best XI twice and making the short list for NWSL Defender of the Year in 2021 and 2022.
"I've had the distinct pleasure of watching Alana throughout her youth, college and professional career, so to be able to spend this last year in the environment with her has been special,” said general manager Lesle Gallimore in a team release. “She is a consummate professional with the goal of becoming the best in the world at her craft. She has been an integral part of this club and its success during her time here and we're thankful for everything she's given on and off the pitch. I'll always pull for these women to do great things in soccer and life, whether they are in our club or somewhere else. There is no exception here, I wish Alana all the best moving forward."
With Cook’s departure, the Reign are currently at 27 players under contract, plus Luany’s status still to be officially settled. The club will need to make at least one more outgoing move before their Canadian internationals return to be compliant with the 26 player maximum, which could be accomplished through an outgoing transfer, loan, waiver, or long-term injury designation.
