Brazilian international defender Monica Hickmann Alves is heading to Adelaide United for the 2016/17 W-League season.

The 29 year old joins Adelaide on loan from NWSL side Orlando Pride and is the first known Adelaide United international signing.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BL-td3vAG8b/?taken-by=monicahickmann

Capped 25 times for Brazil, Monica has been a stable part of the Brazilian defence since making her debut in 2014.  During her time with the national team the centre back has won gold at the 2015 Pan American Games and was a member of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup squad and the fourth placed Rio 2016 Olympics squad.

At club level Monica has lined up for Brazilian side Flamengo, Austrian side SV Neulengbach and a 2014 Brazilian league (Campeonato Brasileiro) and Brazilian Cup (Copa do Brasil) champion with Ferroviária.

In the recent 2016 NWSL season, the Brazilian made 16 appearances for Orlando Pride, only missing matches due to the Olympic Games.

Monica will be the first Brazilian to line up in the W-League and adds to Adelaide's signings of Young Matildas trio Emily Condon, Alex Chidiac and Grace Abbey and striker Racheal Quigley.

Adelaide United commence their W-League season on 6 November 2016.

Name: Monica Hickmann Alves

Height: 5’8”

Date of Birth: 04/21/1987

Birthplace: Porto Alegre, Brazil

Citizenship: Brazil