Italian forward Patrizia Panico signs with Sky Blue FC

Sky Blue signs Italian star Patrizia Panico

SOMERSET, N.J. — Italian national team captain Patrizia Panico has agreed to play for Sky Blue FC of Women’s Professional Soccer.

The New Jersey-based team announced the agreement Wednesday.

Panico is Italy’s all-time leading scorer with 80 goals in 145 international matches. The nine-time Serie A goal scoring champion has scored more than 400 goals while playing in her native country.

The native of Rome has been a member of six Italian League championship sides, and her team has won four Italian Cups and four Italian Super Cups.

Panico is the first Italian player in Women’s Professional Soccer history, raising the total number to 20 nations that are represented in the league.