Vancouver Rise FC announced earlier today that they have transferred winger Holly Ward to NWSL club Seattle Reign for an undisclosed fee. It is the first transfer of an academy graduate for the Rise.

Ward was an integral part of the Rise’s inaugural season in the NSL. Over 28 appearances last season (27 of them starts), Ward tallied eight goals and five assists, helping her club to raise the Diana B. Matheson Cup for winning the NSL championship playoffs.

In a press release from the club, Rise FC sporting director Stephanie Labbé called the transfer “a landmark moment for our club, to see a player come through our pathway and show every player in our academy what’s possible.”

Ward’s first professional season got her noticed by the Canadian Women’s National Team. She has been capped nine times and put up two goals and an assist, becoming the first player from the NSL to score for Canada.

“It’s been an incredible journey,” Ward said in the press release. “Having a professional league in Canada and playing for Rise FC in my hometown has been a dream come true for me. I’m so proud of what we were able to achieve in this first year, winning the NSL championship. There is now a pathway for every young player to achieve their dreams, and I am excited to see more players from the academy play for the club.”

Ward’s transfer is on the heels of a busy off-season window for the Rise. Key players Jasmyne Spencer, Samantha Chang and Lisa Pechersky have all left the club. Several players have joined, including midfielder Mia Pante (a season-long loan from Italian Serie A Club AS Roma), midfielder Camila Reyes (transfer from Colombian club Independiente Santa Fe) and Canadian international Sura Yekka (most recently with Swedish club Djurgårdens IF).

The Rise begin their second NSL season at Swangard Stadium on April 24 with a rematch against AFC Toronto, who the Rise defeated to hoist the cup.