Full-back Ana María Guzmán is moving to FC Bayern Munich from Colombian top-flight club Deportivo Pereira after agreeing a four-year contract. The 18-year-old was recently part of Colombia's squad at the Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, where her team reached a historic quarter-final.
Guzmán: 'A dream come true'
Guzmán is very excited about the new challenge at FC Bayern: "It's unbelievable, a dream come true for me to play for such a fantastic team. There are lots of outstanding players in this team who I can learn a lot from - on and off the pitch." The move abroad is also a good advert for her home country. "It can be an inspiration for a lot of players in Colombia that they can fulfil their dreams," added Guzmán.
Ana María Guzmán with the FC Bayern Women management: From left to right, technical director Francisco De Sá Fardilha, head coach Alexander Straus and head of department Bianca Rech
De Sá Fardilha sees big potential
Francisco De Sá Fardilha, women's football technical director, is convinced by the 18-year-old's development to date: "We watched her performances at the youth World Cups with the U20s and U17s. She impressed us already then. And her recent performances, not just in the Colombian league but also at the World Cup, have also been very convincing."
Ana María Guzmán with technical director Francisco De Sá Fardilha at the contract signing.
First international call-up at 16
Mistrató-born Guzmán started playing football at the age of six and left her home city when she was 11 to join Club Atlético Dosquebradas. In 2022 she moved to city rivals Deportivo Pereira, signing her first pro contract. She made 21 appearances for Deportivo in the Colombian first division. Her big talent was discovered early and she was selected for the Colombia senior national team for the first time in 2021, aged just 16.
Three World Cups in quick succession
Guzmán took part in not one but two World Cups in 2022, finishing second with the Colombian U17 side and then reaching the quarters with the U20s. That was followed by her debut for the senior team and the call-up for this year's tournament. The full-back laid on the winning goal in the 1-0 win over Jamaica in the round of 16.
The youngster will be gradually integrated into Alexander Straus' squad over the coming months. Guzmán is eligible to play from the second half of the season.
Onto the Allianz Arena!
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