By OkayGoal
Another Italian international has landed in the National Women’s Soccer League.
Barbara Bonansea has been acquired, on loan from Juventus, by the San Diego Wave FC. Bonansea will remain in the NWSL through June 2027, the club announced on Friday.
“We are adding a player with tremendous experience who has consistently won championships throughout her career,” Camille Ashton, San Diego Wave FC General Manager and Sporting Director, said, via a press release. “Barbara brings technical quality, intelligence, and a winning mentality to our group. We are excited to welcome her to the club as we continue to push toward the playoffs and finish the year strong.”
Bonansea put her name on international notice after a stellar campaign during the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. She scored twice against Australia, including the game-winning goal, to give Italy its first World Cup win in 20 years. She was also named to the Italy squad that featured in the 2023 World Cup.
THREE FOR ITALIA
Barbara Bonansea finds the net for the Azzurripic.twitter.com/VgFquLOcRq
— W Golazo (@WGolazo) June 5, 2026
The 35-year-old striker has spent the bulk of her career in her native Italy. She began her career in 2006, starring for A.C.F. Torino, where she scored 27 goals in 108 appearances until 2012. She then joined ACF Brescia for five seasons. There, she scored 61 goals in 117 appearances and won two Serie A titles, two Coppa Italia trophies and three Supercoppa Italiana titles.
In 2017, she made the jump to Juventus, where she scored 96 goals in 232 appearances. She was part of Juventus’ six Serie A titles and four Copppa Italia victories. Bonansea won the 2025 Serie A Women’s Cup with Juventus, along with four Suppercoppa Italiana trophies.
This is the first time in her professional career that she will feature outside of Italy.
For her country, Bonansea has tallied 30 goals in 107 appearances, and is a mainstay for the program. Her 100th appearance occurred back in February 2024, against the Republic of Ireland. Bonansea was on Italy’s UEFA Women’s European Championship squads in 2017, 2022 and 2025.