BERKELEY – Former Golden Bear forward Miranda Nild will begin her professional soccer career in Lithuania, recently signing with Gintra Universitetas. Gintra plays in A Lyga, the top division in Lithuanian women's football and qualified for the 2019-20 UEFA Women's Champions League by winning the league last season.

"We are so happy to see Miranda sign her first professional contract," said Cal head coach Neil McGuire. "It's been an amazing year for her with the World Cup and now this. She is an outstanding person and will do great things in her career."

Nild recently made her debut with Gintra in a tune-up match against Kazakhstan champions Shymkent BIIK-Kazygurt, and came off the bench to score her first professional goal. Nild and Gintra will now shift their attention to the UEFA Women's Champions League qualifying tournament, which begins on August 7.

Champions League marks the next step in Nild's career on the international stage. A member of the Thai women's national team, Nild made her World Cup debut this summer, playing every minute in all three group stage matches at the FIFA Women's World Cup in France. A key contributor on the Bears' frontline for four years the team's offensive MVP in 2017, Nild served as a team captain in 2018 and graduated in May with her degree in American Studies.

Nild continues a rich tradition of Golden Bears who have gone on to play professionally, both in the United States and across the globe, including nations such as Sweden, Norway, Iceland, and the Netherlands.

The Bears will officially kick off the 2019 campaign on August 22, hosting Weber State at Edwards Stadium at 4 p.m. PT. The Golden Bears' full schedule for the upcoming season can be found here.

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