FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year Marta has left Swedish side Umea IK after the breakdown of talks over a new contract, the club announced Wednesday.
On Tuesday, Swedish tabloid Expressen reported that the Brazilian forward has signed a preliminary contract with the Los Angeles Sol of Women’s Professional Soccer, and that the deal will be announced next week.
“The discussion regarding Marta’s being, or not being, with Umea IK for the coming season has ended on our part,” said the Umea IK statement. It said her agent, Fabiano Farah, had failed to respond to its proposals for the 22-year-old player, who has been with Umea for the last five seasons. Marta won the World Player of the Year award in both 2006 and 2007. The award for 2008 will be announced Monday.