The Chicago Red Stars have signed veteran midfielder, Shea Groom, to a two-year contract, the club announced today.  

“I’m so excited to join the Red Stars and represent the city of Chicago,” said Groom. “I’m a Midwest girl at heart and I know this club is destined to do great things.” 

“I could not be happier to welcome Shea to the Red Stars,” said Red Stars president, Karen Leetzow. “She is a proven player, and her experience will help us succeed on the pitch and help us develop our younger players. They will be competing with her every day at training and learning what it takes to a top player in this league.” 

Groom is an experienced midfielder that joins the Red Stars after spending four years with the Houston Dash. Over those four years, the midfielder played 61 matches, started in 50 and scored nine goals with seven assists across all competitions.  

In the inaugural National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Challenge Cup, Groom’s standout performance earned her a spot in the competition’s Best XI. Groom capped her Challenge Cup performance by scoring a goal in the championship match to give Houston a 2-0 win over Chicago and earning Groom MVP honors.  

The Missouri native started her career in the NWSL being drafted 12th overall by F.C. Kansas City in 2015 out of Texas A&M University. In week 13 of the 2015 season, a rookie Shea Groom was named player of the week after assisting on two goals and scoring the game-winning goal. Groom and FCKC ended the 2015 season as NWSL Champions.  

The midfielder followed up her championship-winning rookie season with a stellar sophomore campaign that included scoring eight goals, including two braces and three match-winning goals, and earning a spot in the league’s Best XI second team.  

Over Groom’s nine years in the NWSL, the veteran has played for four teams, in 159 matches with 134 starts and scored 33 goals with 20 assists across all competitions.