Flint, Mich. — Former Flint City AFC defender Zoë Hudson has signed her first professional contract with first-division Portuguese side Valadares Gaia FC for the 2022-23 season, pending league and federation approval.

Hudson was a key member of Flint City AFC’s inaugural squad, competing in USL W League this summer at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium.

The 22-year-old played her senior season last fall at Bowling Green State University, where she won four Mid-American Conference championships.

The Rochester Hills, Michigan, native is an alumnus of Michigan Hawks. She won an Elite Club National League (ECNL) national title at the U-17 level.

Valadares Gaia plays in Liga BPI, the top-tier women’s league in Portugal. The club — based in Vila Nova de Gaia, part of the District of Porto on the country’s northwest coast — claimed the Portuguese Women's Super Cup title in 2016.

For more information about USL W League, visit uslwleague.com. You can also follow @USLWLeague on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

For more information about Flint City AFC, visit flintcityafc.com. You can also follow @FlintCityAFC on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.