From the end of the 2026 season in July to the end of the month Minnesota Aurora saw four players go professional. Of those four three have signed deals to play in Europe and one player is headed over to Japan. But the biggest and most constant moved this year have been Aurora players heading to the Emerald Isle to play in the League of Ireland Women's Premier Division. Initially Olivia Rush was signed to Sligo Rovers, but now she has been joined by two additional players from Aurora.
Mersereau and Dunaway join Olivia Rush at Sligo Rovers
Defender Haylee Mersereau (UCF) and midfielder Gracie Dunaway (Purdue) are both headed off to Ireland. The pair will be joining Aurora teammate Olivia Rush at top flight side Sligo Rovers. With the Irish top flight being a summer league, the trio will only be with the side through the end of their season in late October. Sligo currently sit 5th in the 12 team LOI table.
Jelena goes pro!
After spending five seasons with Aurora defender (and Minnesota native) Jelena Zbiljic has signed her first professional contract. She will be off to Serbian top flight side and 13 time champion ŽFK Spartak Subotica. The eight club Serbian Super Liga will start their season in late August.
Kyra off to Greece
Kyra Karfonta (Dayton) has become the fourth Aurora player this month and eighth in 2026 to sign a professional contract. Just like all three other players who've inked deals this much she'll be headed to Europe, but the defender is set to land in Greece. Karfonta joins historic top flight side Panathinaikos for the 2026/27 First National Division season. The Greens missed qualifying for Europe as they finished the 2025/26 season in fifth place. Only champions PAOK qualified to European play.
