Fifth year Skylar Briggs of the California women's soccer team signed her first professional contract to play for HB Køge, the Danish club announced Wednesday.
 
Over the past five years Briggs has made major contributions to the Golden Bears both on and off the field. As a defensive midfielder her efforts don't always end up in the box score but are very tangible on the pitch. Briggs wins balls in the midfield and helps facilitate the offense. She brings immense tenacity to the defensive side of the ball with unmatched energy and hustle.

"We are thrilled for Skylar to realize her life-long dream of becoming a professional," head coach Neil McGuire said. "She is a very special person, and an incredible player, and no one is more deserving."
 
Despite graduating in the spring of 2024, Briggs decided to opt in for her fifth season and return to help the Bears usher in the new era as members of the ACC, which is widely regarded as the top conference in the sport. As a fifth year she made 20 appearances with 18 starts and tallied a career-high 1,673 minutes with a pair of assists. She played wire-to-wire in 11 matches including both NCAA Championship contests.
 
Briggs' career stats total 85 matches with 64 starts and 5,561 minutes played. She notched six assists, and her lone collegiate goal was a game-winner at Oregon State on Oct. 20, 2022.
 
The Swans, who just wrapped up their 2024 Elitedivisionen season with a third-place finish in the championship round, compete in Køge. The club qualified for the UEFA Women's Champions League three straight seasons from 2021-23.