By Mauricio Segura July 29, 2025
Photo: GBT Graphics
Bay FC has made a statement signing by bringing local star Onyeka Gamero back to California after a stint with FC Barcelona B. The 19‑year‑old forward from Cerritos has inked a contract running through the 2028 NWSL season and instantly becomes one of the club’s most intriguing rising prospects.
For Bay FC, struggling to find the back of the net earlier this season, Gamero represents hope, promise and renewed ambition. With just 14 goals in 13 games ranking as one of the poorest attacks in the league, her arrival could signal a turning point. Head coach Albertin Montoya praised her as a dynamic player with an offensive edge and versatility across the pitch, exactly the kind of spark the fledgling club craves.
It’s a full‑circle moment for Gamero. A California native raised in Cerritos, she chose to turn pro in 2023 and spurned a college path at Stanford in favor of FC Barcelona’s famed development system. During her time with Barça B, she tallied two goals and one assist across nine appearances before an unfortunate ACL tear in 2023 halted her debut season in Spain.
Now, back on home soil and still in recovery, Gamero is preparing to rehabilitate under the watchful care of Bay FC’s medical staff. Despite the setback, Montoya emphasized that she remains a long‑term asset with potential that only scratched the surface in Barcelona.
Gamero’s international credentials only add to the excitement. She starred for the U.S. at the 2022 U‑17 Women’s World Cup and impressed again during the 2023 Concacaf U‑20 Championship, scoring in the final and registering two assists overall. She earned back‑to‑back nominations for U.S. Soccer Young Player of the Year in 2022 and 2023, finishing runner‑up both times to standouts like Jaedyn Shaw and Olivia Moultrie.
In her own words, Gamero shared the excitement of returning to her home region: “I’m beyond excited to sign with Bay FC… this is the perfect place for me to develop into the player I know I can be, and I can’t wait to represent the Bay with pride, passion, and purpose.” That kind of belief in the club’s vision reveals just how much this move means to her.
Bay FC’s roster strategy has leaned heavily on youth and untapped potential. Alongside talents like Racheal Kundananji and rookie Karlie Lema, Gamero joins a young nucleus envisioned to grow together with the long view in mind. The club has leaned into international signings and free agent rookies since the abolition of the NWSL draft, reflecting a flexible, modern recruitment model tailored to uncovering rising stars.
Her timeline for return to full match fitness remains uncertain, but observers believe she could be back in training soon and that she’ll slide into Bay FC’s attack once fit. Her technical skill, combined with agility and tactical awareness, make her an exciting prospect in a league that prizes athleticism and speed.
For Bay FC fans, Gamero’s homecoming is about more than one player. It’s a signal that this club wants to build something lasting, to cultivate stars, and to invest in players who share its values and roots. For Gamero, it’s a chance to rewrite her story closer to home, to rehab stronger, and to thrive under familiar skies.
As Bay FC prepares to resume league play in early August, all eyes will be on how quickly Gamero reintegrates. Will she ignite the attack and help the club close the playoff gap? Only time will tell, but one thing feels certain: the spark of her return has lit a new fire in Bay FC’s season and future.
