SAN MARCOS, Calif. – Michele Ramirez, a former standout for the Cal State San Marcos women's soccer team, signed a professional contract with Ostersunds Women's Football Club in Swedish Division 1 last week.

Ostersunds competes in the third tier of Swedish women's soccer, in Division I of Norra (North) Svealand. Division 1 is separated into nine different regions and leagues. Svealand is the central part of Sweden and Ostersunds (ODFF) is in the Northern region.

Ramirez became the first CSUSM player to sign a professional contract and recently played 90 minutes as a center back in ODFF's 3-0 victory over rival Krokom/Dvarsatt IF on Sunday. She was interviewed after the game, which can be seen here.

“I'm extremely happy for Michele and the opportunity she has before her,” said CSUSM head coach Ron Pulvers. “I think she'll be a great addition to the Ostersunds club. She'll also have a unique, once in a life time experience playing the game she loves in Sweden.”

Ramirez, a 2011 graduate, had been playing for the San Diego Sea Lions of the Women's Premier Soccer League's Pacific-South Division.

A four-year starter, she was named to the A.I.I. First Team in 2010 and was an A.I.I. All-Tournament selection in 2008. She played eight years of club soccer for So Cal Infinity in the Cal South Premier League and was also a four-year starter at St. Joseph High School.

She coached three years at Rancho Buena Vista High School as the JV head coach, in addition to serving as a coach for the Carlsbad Wave Soccer Club.

To learn more about Ostersunds, click here.