Gotham FC has signed Stanford forward Andrea Kitahata through the 2026 season, adding a decorated collegiate attacker and U.S. youth international to its roster.
Kitahata joins Gotham following a five-year career at Stanford, where she developed into one of the most reliable attacking players in the country. She appeared in 99 matches for the Cardinal and played a key role in the program’s sustained postseason success, including three College Cup appearances from 2023 to 2025.
“I am both proud and excited to be joining a group of players and an organization with storied success,” Kitahata said. “I know that my development will be elevated by the level of talent and competitiveness in this environment. This organization has a clear identity rooted in grit and defying odds, and I’m ready to contribute to that mission.”
Kitahata, 23, served as team captain during her final two seasons at Stanford and closed her collegiate career with one of her most productive campaigns. In 2025, she recorded 17 goals and 10 assists in 25 matches, finishing second on the team in scoring while helping lead Stanford to both the ACC regular-season title and the ACC Tournament championship. She earned All-ACC first team honors and was named to the ACC Championship All-Tournament Team.
Over her collegiate career, Kitahata totaled 39 goals and 32 assists, placing her among the program’s most productive attackers. Her 32 assists ranked eighth in Stanford history at the conclusion of her career, while her goals and total points both ranked 11th. Known for her ability to play across the front line, she produced multiple game-winning goals and scored in extended stretches during both her junior and senior seasons.
Before Stanford’s move to the ACC, Kitahata was part of the Cardinal’s Pac-12 championship team in 2022 and earned All-Pac-12 second team honors twice. She also received national recognition for her work on and off the field, earning United Soccer Coaches All-Region honors along with multiple Scholar All-America and Academic All-America selections.
At the international level, Kitahata has represented the United States in youth competition, including at the 2022 Concacaf Women’s Under-20 Championship. She helped the U.S. win the tournament and scored seven goals in six matches, finishing as the competition’s Silver Boot winner.
“Andrea is a versatile attacking player with a strong collegiate background and experience at the youth international level,” Gotham general manager and head of soccer operations Yael Averbuch West said. “She brings consistency and competitiveness to the group, and we’re looking forward to integrating her into our environment.”
Kitahata joins a Gotham side coming off a championship season, giving the club another attacking option as it continues to build toward the upcoming NWSL campaign.
