SANTA CLARITA, CA - The 2016 United Women’s Soccer (UWS) champion Santa Clarita Blue Heat are pleased to announce the addition of Venezuelan international forward Deyna Castellanos for the 2017 United Women’s Soccer (UWS) season. The current Florida State University freshman is coming off her first year of collegiate soccer for the Seminoles, starting 13 out 13 games and was the team's joint-top goal scorer with seven goals in 2016.

“She is the one of the best youth players in the world,” said Blue Heat Owner and Technical Director Carlos Marroquin. “She will be one of the best players in the world and to have her play with the Blue Heat in UWS is amazing.”

“I am very excited to be joining the Blue Heat this Summer,” said Castellanos. “I hear the quality of the league continues to grow and it will be a welcoming challenge for the team to defend the title from last year.”

Castellanos had a strong start to her FSU career, but her youth international record is more impressive. At the age of 14, Deyna was selected to represent Venezuela for the 2014 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica. She scored seven goals and three assists to earn a share of the Adidas Golden Boot (top scorer) alongside compatriot Gabriela Garcia as Venezuela finished in fourth place.

Two years on at the 2016 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Jordan, Castellanos would leave her mark again. Deyna scored one of the goals of the tournament in a group stage match vs. Cameroon, notching the 94th minute game-winner from inside the center circle. Venezuela finished in fourth while Castellanos scored five goals, enough to secure the Adidas Bronze Boot (third top scorer). She also took home the Adidas Bronze Ball (third best player of the tournament).

For the latest news, signings and updates visit the team’s official website at SCBlueHeat.com. You can “Like” the Santa Clarita Blue Heat on Facebook and on Twitter at @SCBlueHeat.

About United Women’s Soccer (UWS): UWS is a national women’s soccer league sanctioned by U.S. Soccer through the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA). UWS is a professionally operated league created for teams that meet high minimum standards. The season runs from May until the end of July, culminating in a National Championship match. The UWS player pool is comprised of college players, aspiring & former professionals and international stars. You can follow UWS on social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

UWS is managed by EDP, a leading soccer management company that runs a number of leagues and tournaments. In addition to UWS, EDP operates youth leagues that includes an NPL league, the EDP Super Club program, the EDP Premier League and the EDP Championship League. EDP also runs EDP Futures programs for U-7’s to U-12’s and it conducts more than 20 youth tournaments, including tournaments within its EDP Cup Series and EDP Showcase Series.

Media can contact UWS Director of Communications Jorma Kansanen by e-mail at Press@UWSSoccer.com. You can visit the league’s official website at UWSSoccer.com. Interested team applicants can contact League Director Joe Ferrara by e-mail at Joe@UWSSoccer.com.