Courage D Malia Berkely signs three-year extension

North Carolina Courage defender Malia Berkely agreed to terms on a three-year contract that extends through the 2026 season.

Financial terms were not disclosed by the team on Friday.

Berkely, 25, has played in 945 minutes across 11 matches this season for the Courage.

"I am very excited to be staying here in Cary (N.C.)," Berkely said. "The growth of this team has been massive and I'm just thankful to be a part of it. What we are building here as a team is so special and it's been showing. We will continue to work and push forward and I'm looking forward to another three years of it."

Berkely was named Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year in both 2019 and 2020 with Florida State. She played professionally for two seasons with French FC Girondins de Bordeaux before being acquired by the Courage via transfer prior to the 2022 campaign.