Houston Dash make a statement by signing Swedish rising star for 2025 season | OneFootball

Houston Dash keeps strengthening its roster for the 2025 season, and this time, they’ve added another promising name to their midfield. The signing of Swedish talent Evelina Duljan reflects the club’s ambition to build a strong identity under the leadership of Angela Hucles Mangano and Fabrice Gautrat.

At just 21 years old, Duljan already boasts an impressive resume. A 2024 NWSL champion with Orlando Pride and a former Juventus player, she arrives not just as a prospect but as someone who knows what it takes to compete at the highest level. Her addition strengthens a roster that already features players familiar with winning major titles.

Versatility as a key asset

Duljan’s biggest advantage is her versatility. She can play multiple roles in midfield and even fill in at full-back if needed. That flexibility gives Houston Dash more options to adjust tactics based on their opponents and in-game situations.

Dash president Angela Hucles Mangano highlighted this quality when discussing the signing: "She’s a young, talented player with vast experience, having started her professional career as a teenager. Her versatility, vision, and championship mindset will be a great addition to the squad."

In a competitive league like the NWSL, having a player who can perform effectively in different roles is always an advantage.

NWSL experience and a champion’s mentality

Even though she played only a handful of matches for Orlando Pride in 2024, Duljan was part of a championship-winning squad and understands the pressure of competing for titles. She featured in eight regular-season games and played in three matches during the NWSL x LIGA MX Femenil Summer Cup, where she scored her first goal for Orlando against Racing Louisville FC.

That experience could be crucial in helping her adapt quickly to Houston Dash and become an essential piece in their system.

A rapid rise in European soccer

Duljan’s journey to this point has been anything but ordinary. Her track record in Europe shows a player who has developed rapidly and taken full advantage of every opportunity.

At Juventus, she won her first major trophy in 2023, helping the team claim the domestic cup. She played in 23 matches for the Italian club and contributed an assist in a 1-1 draw against Sassuolo.

Before that, she made history in Sweden, where she began her professional career with Kristianstads DFF. At just 14 years old, she signed her first pro contract, and by 15, she was making her professional debut. In total, she played 52 matches for the Swedish club, scoring four goals and providing two assists.

She also had a loan spell with Växjö in 2021, gaining additional experience before making the leap to Juventus and, later, the NWSL.

International presence and sweden’s continued interest

Duljan has been a fixture in Sweden’s youth national teams, proving that she has been regarded as a promising talent for years. She has represented her country from the U-17 to the U-23 levels, playing a vital role in the squad that reached the semifinals of the UEFA U-19 Women’s Championship in 2022.

Last year, she received her first U-23 national team call-up, playing in a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands.

This shows that the Swedish federation is still monitoring her progress, and a strong season in the NWSL could bring her closer to a senior national team opportunity.