Former Badin and Florida State standout, Malia Berkely, secures a European playing deal
After two state championships, being named Ms. Ohio soccer twice, a NCAA national championship and back-to-back ACC Defensive Play of the Year honors, Badin alum Malia Berkely’s soccer career isn’t over– it’s just beginning to blossom.
In January, the Florida State star reached an agreement with FC Girondins de Bordeaux Féminines to jump-start her professional career. She will be playing in the number one women’s league in Europe.
“I’ve wanted to be a professional soccer player since I was three years old,” said Berkely. “And as far I can remember I wanted to play in Europe.”
She joins the club at the winter transfer window, meaning she can start playing right away. Berkley found an agent, and soon after started talking with different european clubs.
“[FC Girondins de Bordeaux Féminines] reached out to my agent. So I looked into the clubs, the coaches and the players,” she said. “After talking to the coaches, doing my research and getting through negotiations I felt like it was a perfect opportunity to develop as a person and a player. I’ve always wanted to be abroad and learn a different culture.”
Malia is currently the only player on the club from the United States. She is one of just four players to come from english speaking countries– though the majority of her teammates do speak english, so language hasn’t created much of a barrier. She says she still intends to learn French, and plans to start classes soon.
At the time of the interview, Berkely had yet to make her professional debut. Some athletes, in fact most, would build up nerves before a milestone so important. Moving to a foreign country and on the cusp of breaking through a dream she held since she was three years old and she has no nerves– just enthusiasm.
“I’m so excited to play,” she said. “I’ve been working towards this literally my entire life. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to actually play.”
When she takes the pitch to play professionally for the first time, it will be just another step in an ever-growing trophy case of accomplishments. As a Badin Ram she was a four-time All-Ohio selection, was named Ohio Gatorade Player of the year and was a two-time NSCAA All-American– as well as the previously mentioned two-time Ms. Soccer Ohio and winning two state titles with her dad as the head coach. She graduated from Badin in 2016, and went down to Tallahassee, where she took even more steps forward with Florida State in her illustrious career. What’s left? Well, World Cups and gold medals.
“First, I’m hoping that we make it into the Champions League,” said Berkely on her aspirations as a footballer. “Then personally, I’m hoping to make the United States national team. Whether that be this year or in the future.”
With the Olympics rescheduled for this summer, the team is practically locked up but that doesn’t mean Berkely can’t make the team in the future.
“Whenever they’re ready for me, I’ll be ready,” she said. “My ultimate goal is to win World Cups and Olympics Medals. I want to be the best player in the world. Whichever direction my development takes me is what I’m hoping for.”
Malia received an invitation to a national team camp last December, so she is certainly on the team’s radar.
That’s all in front of Berkely. Steps in the future, that she’ll take when the moments present themselves. For now, it’s just about fulfilling a childhood dream.
“I’m most excited about getting to say that I accomplished what I’ve been working for my whole life,” she said. “I’m nowhere done by any means, but it has finally started.”
FC Girondins de Bordeaux Féminines league finishes up in June, they currently sit third in the French D1 Feminine league.