Anaheim, Calif. — Flint City AFC alumnus Celia Gaynor was selected by the Chicago Red Stars with the 45th overall pick in Friday evening’s NWSL draft.

Gaynor can now be offered a contract to join one of the most historic clubs in U.S. women’s soccer, which this year is expected to field U.S. women’s national team veterans including Alyssa Naeher and Mallory Swanson. The Red Stars were a founding member of the Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) league in 2009 as well as NWSL in 2013.

The Shelby Township native was part of Flint City AFC’s inaugural USL W League season in 2022 and was a graduate student at Michigan State University this past fall.

Gaynor rejoined Flint City in 2023, helping the club achieve an unbeaten regular season, its first Great Lakes Division title, and its first W League playoff appearance.

The Spartans recently concluded a historic season, highlighted by their second consecutive Big Ten title and a program-first trip to the NCAA Tournament’s third round.

Despite playing in the midfield for most of her college career, Gaynor started 20 matches primarily at center back. She scored twice. After the campaign, she was named first-team all-conference, as well as to the United Soccer Coaches regional third team.

Gaynor totaled nearly 3,000 minutes over two seasons with Michigan State, tallying five goals and two assists. She previously spent three years at Butler University.