CHARLESTON, S.C. ? Former College of Charleston women’s soccer player Megan Manthey has signed a professional contract with Fortuna Hj?rring, a women’s soccer club based in Hj?rring, Denmark.

Manthey led the Cougars to a 12-5-4 overall mark last year and was an All-Southern Conference selection after leading the conference in goals scored (14) and points (34). Manthey also tallied six game-winning goals throughout the course of the season, which was the best mark in the conference.

"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to play professionally overseas,” said Manthey. “This has been my dream since I was a little girl. I am ready to meet this new challenge at full speed and am ready to take full advantage of this opportunity that has been handed to me.”

Fortuna Hj?rring, started in 1966, was originally an extension of another club called Hj?rring Frem before it separated from the group in 1977. The club reached the finals of the 2003 UEFA Womens Cup and today has 350 active members. The squad is also a supplier of national players to the Danish National team.

"I couldn't be happier for Megan to achieve a life long dream of playing professional soccer,” said CofC head coach Kevin Dempsey. “She's worked unbelievably hard to achieve this goal.”

“Fortuna is one of the top club teams in the world and it's such a great honor to receive a contract from a club that has players from all over the world. We couldn’t be prouder of her accomplishments.”

“I am so thankful to all the coaches I have had since I began playing soccer and am overwhelmed with the amount of support I have received from my family, friends, and teammates,” continued Manthey. “I would like to thank Coach Dempsey and Coach Barroquiero for believing in me, putting in extra time to work with me, seeing my potential this past year at CofC and most importantly, for never giving up on me.”