Sky Blue FC defender Estelle Johnson has played 108 regular season matches. (Photo courtesy of Sky Blue FC)

HOWELL, N.J. – Sky Blue FC defender Estelle Johnson Wednesday agreed to a one-year contract with an option prior to the National Women’s Soccer League season.

As per team and league policies, further details of the contract were not revealed.

“I am delighted to have Estelle continue to play for Sky Blue,” Sky Blue head coach Freya Coombe said. “She is a solid defender that brings great experience and leadership to the team. She will be key to the success of the team this season.”

Johnson, 31, joined Sky Blue last season after being acquired in a trade with the Washington Spirit. An NWSL veteran, Johnson played in her 100th league game last season on July 28 against the Houston Dash at BBVA Stadium. Johnson finished the season playing and starting in 15 matches.

“Estelle is an important leader for us on and off the field,” Sky Blue general manager Alyse LaHue said. “Her steady presence on the backline was crucial for us last season so we’re thrilled to have her return for 2020.”

The veteran defender started her professional career in Women’s Professional Soccer, playing for the Philadelphia Independence from 2010-12 before heading over to Australia to play for Sydney FC from 2011-12.

In 2013, Johnson joined the Western New York Flash, where she accumulated 22 appearances with the 2013 NWSL Championship runner-up side. After a brief break in 2014, Johnson returned to the NWSL in 2015 with the Spirit before joining Sky Blue FC in 2019. Johnson has logged 9,530 minutes in 108 regular season matches.

Johnson earned her first international cap with Cameroon last year. She also participated in the 2019 Women’s World Cup, playing the full 90 minutes in all four group stage matches.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.