Kysha Emilie Zéna Laurence Sylla (born 2 February 2004) is a French professional footballer who plays as a center back for the Washington Spirit of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), on loan from Première Ligue club Lyon.
Club career
Sylla grew up in Martigues, outside of Marseille, and began playing football with boys at CA Croix Sainte at age 10.[1] Originially a defensive midfielder, she later trained at Martigues and Marseille,[2] before joining Lyon's academy in 2019.[3] On 8 October 2021, she signed her first professional contract with Lyon, signing a three-year deal.[3] She helped Lyon win the national under-19 championship in 2022.[4]
On 17 January 2023, Sylla went on loan to Dijon for the rest of the 2022–23 season.[2] She made nine appearances for Dijon in all competitions, starting seven of them.[5]
Sylla made her first league start for Lyon on 3 March 2024, playing the first half of their 3–1 win against Dijon.[5] She totaled five appearances in the 2023–24 season, including three starts, after which she extended her contract with the club to 2026.[4]
On 6 February 2025, Sylla joined National Women's Soccer League team Washington Spirit (like Lyon, owned by Michele Kang) on loan for the 2025 season, while re-signing her contract to 2027.[6]
International career
Sylla played for France U-20 at the 2022 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup,[7] starting in their quarterfinal match against eventual finalists Japan.[5]
Honors
Olympique Lyonnais Féminin
- Première Ligue: 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24
- UEFA Women's Champions League: 2021–22
- Trophée des Championnes: 2022
- Women's International Champions Cup: 2022
- Coupe de France Féminine: 2022–23
References
- ^ "Kysha Sylla: «Je suis une pure, dure et vraie défenseure»" (in French). Dijon FCO. 18 January 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2025.
- ^ a b "Kysha Sylla en prêt au DFCO" (in French). Dijon FCO. 17 January 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2025.
- ^ a b "Kysha Sylla signe son premier contrat professionnel" (in French). Olympique Lyonnais Féminin. 8 October 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2025.
- ^ a b "Kysha Sylla prolonge son aventure avec le club jusqu'en 2026" (in French). Olympique Lyonnais Féminin. 16 July 2024. Retrieved 6 February 2025.
- ^ a b c Kysha Sylla at Soccerway
- ^ "Kysha Sylla prolonge et part en prêt à Washington" (in French). Olympique Lyonnais Féminin. 6 February 2025. Retrieved 6 February 2025.
- ^ El Abadi, Saïd (11 August 2022). "Coupe du monde U20 féminine: Kysha Sylla, l'ambitieuse bleuette" (in French). CNews. Retrieved 6 February 2025.
External links
- Kysha Sylla at Soccerway.com
- Kysha Sylla at kicker (in German)
