The captain of the Dutch national women’s football squad, Daphne Koster, is leaving the Netherlands to play in the United States.

Her club AZ announced that she has signed with Sky Blue FC. She will begin a one-year contract with an option for a further season starting in March next year.

Sky Blue FC, based in Piscataway Township near New York City, is the 2009 Women’s Professional Soccer champion. WPS is seen as the highest level women’s football in the world.

AZ coach Ad Engelkes said he wishes Koster the very best in the US. “She is ready to make the switch to professional competition. In the US she can now play against the best women players in the world. You might only get a chance like this once, so you’ve got to take it.”