Utah Royals FC is excited to announce the addition of defender Addisyn Merrick to the Royals family for the 2024 season.
A native of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Merrick excelled on the field at the University of Kansas before being drafted in 2020 by the North Carolina Courage. Merrick joins the Royals from the Kansas City Current.
Here are three fast facts to get you up to speed on the URFC defender:
- Dependable Defender at Kansas
Merrick’s four-year career at Kansas was filled with personal accolades and team success. After appearing in every match through her first three seasons, Merrick solidified her time with the Jayhawks with an impressive senior campaign. Helping Kansas to 12 shutouts, second-most in program history, Merrick was named the Big 12 Defender of the Year in addition to All-Tournament and conference teams. She set program records for most minutes in a single season and most career minutes.
- NWSL Career to Date
Following her impressive senior season at Kansas, Merrick was the 28th pick in the 2020 NWSL Draft by the North Carolina Courage and made her professional debut in the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup against Portland Thorns FC. In November of the same year, she was selected by Racing Louisville FC in the 2020 NWSL Expansion Draft. Her time in Louisville was limited due to injury, and she was traded to the Kansas City Current in June 2022. During the 2023 season with the Current, Merrick appeared in 15 matches and made seven starts.
- Family of Athletes
Merrick is the third member of her immediate family to play professional sports. Her brother Brandon Dulin spent parts of seven seasons in the Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals farm systems. Merrick’s father Leland McAfee played for the Pittsburgh Pirates Gulf Coast League affiliate and played another two seasons of independent ball. Of the three, Merrick is the only one to reach the highest level of their respective leagues.
Don’t forget to secure your seat at America First Field for next season and help celebrate the Return of Royalty. Season tickets are available here.
