The Chicago Red Stars today announced the re-signing of defender, Arin Wright, to a two-year contract. Wright has been a member of the Red Stars since she was drafted in 2015 from the University of Kentucky.

“While the mountains we’ve had to climb during my time here have been tall, I know my journey is not over yet,” said Wright. “The pain endured and memories of the past can’t be forgotten, but with all hardship comes valuable lessons. I am confident that collectively and collaboratively this club and players can use those lessons to propel us into the future. The undeniable potential of this club is now a light at the end of the tunnel. Success has not been what’s lacking in Chicago, it is ‘GREATNESS’. I am beyond thrilled to be a part of building a solid foundation from which this club can flourish. This town has been my home since I was drafted in 2015 and without hesitation, will continue to be until 2024. The best has yet to come.”

“We are thrilled to bring Arin back to Chicago,” said Chicago Red Stars Associate General Manager, Michelle Lomnicki. “She has every quality you want around the team and the club: Passionate, hardworking, quality leadership, community driven and a force on the field. Arin’s leadership and voice will be important for the club as we rebuild the team culture to guide us into the future.”

Since joining the Red Stars, Wright has been named to the NWSL Best-XI (2016), the NWSL Best XI Second Team (2015), nominated for Defender of the Year and was an Iron Woman in the 2017 season, playing all 2,130 minutes in 24 matches. The Kentucky native spent three off seasons in Australia with the Newcastle Jets from 2016-18 where she scored 12 goals in 30 appearances. During the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup Wright converted a penalty attempt that helped the Red Stars earn a win against the Houston Dash. In the 2021 NWSL Championship match, the defender delivered a cross to Rachel Hill who put the Red Stars up by one against the Washington Spirit.

Wright played four years at the University of Kentucky where she was named to the All-SEC Team four times, set a school record with 278 shots and eight career game-winning goals and was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2014.