Canadian international defender Vanessa Gilles has been sold to Bayern Munich for loan from the NWSL with Lyon in the past three seasons.
Angel City said the 29-year-old Ottawa Center will join the German side on July 1 once she summarizes the loan with Lyon. Her contract with Munich lasts until June 30, 2028.
“Vanessa is a player who always gives 110% of the players on the court. This is a role that is perfectly compatible with FC Bayern and our philosophy,” said Francisco de Sa Fardilha, technical director of Bayern Women's Team. “She is one of the best central defenders in the world in terms of coping and defense in the fine area.
“She also has extensive experience at the highest level. Vanessa won the Olympics with her country, Canada and also competed in the Champions League final. In this regard, she will definitely help us in big competitions, especially in Europe.”
Gilles, who won 51 blocks for Canada, is one of the names on the team list of Canadian head coach Casey Stoney. Gilles dominated the air, scoring eight goals for Canada.
“Everyone knows Munich, everyone knows the history of this great club,” Giles said. “I look forward to working with a team that represents years of ambitiousness. It's perfect for my goal, both at home and in the Champions League. In addition, the family environment around the entire club has been very impressed from the very beginning.”
Bayern Women won the Bundesliga championship for the third time in a row after finishing the season with a record of 19-1-2, ranking seventh in total. Bayern won every league in the second half of the season by Lyon in the quarter-finals.
Watch | Gilles leads Canada in February at the Pinatar Cup:
Vanessa Gilles scored the 51st minute goal on Canada's 50th block, as Canada beat Mexico 2-0 in the Pinatar Cup in Spain.
Bayern is also home to Canadian captain Alphonso Davies, a star defender for the men's team.
Gilles has made 77 appearances since joining Lyon, with nine goals and five assists in the 6,644 minute game. She helped the club win the UEFA Champions League in 2022 and the French League in 2022 and 2024.
Gilles attacked the Cincinnati Pandas’ college football for the Angel City’s ever-ever regular-season goal between 2014 and 2017.
She signed with Angel City in January 2022 and then lent to Lyon in September of that year.
