Boston Legacy FC added another versatile player Monday, signing Laís Araújo to a one-year contract with a club option to renew for 2027.
The Brazilian midfielder/center back most recently played with Portuguese club Benfica, under Legacy coach Filipa Patão.
“Laís is a player with great personality, ambitious, passionate about the game, and highly competent,” Patão said in a release. “She can play as a holding midfielder or center back, and the main characteristic that sets her apart is her game understanding and decision-making.”
Araújo, who played two seasons at the University of Florida after transferring from a junior college, has also competed for clubs in Spain, Norway, and Australia.
“That background gives her a perspective and maturity that will add a lot to our team,” Legacy general manager Domè Guasch said in a release.
In her senior year at Florida, Araújo was named to the 2018 All-SEC first team after sharing the team lead in points with 14, including a hat trick scored in just 18 minutes against Kentucky.
“Having already worked with Filipa, she understands the standards we want to set, and we’re excited to support her continued growth here at BLFC,” Guasch said in the release.
Araújo is Boston’s 11th signing ahead of its inaugural season, including the addition of Boston College product Sophia Lowenberg last Wednesday.
The NWSL requires a minimum of 22 and a maximum of 26 players per team, and while Boston is not required to meet that minimum by the end of 2025 as an expansion team, the Legacy will be subject to league-standard roster compliance dates in 2026. Those dates have not yet been announced.
The Legacy will open their inaugural campaign on Saturday, March 14, at 12:30 p.m., at Gillette Stadium.
In 2026, the NWSL will expand to a 30-game schedule from 26 games in 2025 with the addition of two teams, Boston and the Denver Summit. The season will last 27 weeks, with a planned break from June 1-28 to account for the men’s World Cup taking place in a number of NWSL cities, which will tie up stadium access.
Emma Healy can be reached at emma.healy@globe.com or on X @ByEmmaHealy.
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