Christen Press sports No.24 jersey at Man United as "little nod" to 'idol' Kobe Bryant

Two-time World Cup winner Christen Press will be donning No.24 jersey at her new club Manchester United as a nod to late basketball legend Kobe Bryant. former Utah Royals star grew up in Los Angeles, idolising Kobe, who spent 20 illustrious years with LA Lakers. 

Christen Press is widely known for wearing No.23. She donned number at her previous clubs and was expected to be handed No.23 at Man United. However, fans were left disappointed after fellow summer signing Alessia Russo taking shirt number, leaving Press to start her Man United career donning a new number. 

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Christen Press' Kobe Bryant tribute

However, it served as an ideal scenario for Christen Press to pay a tribute to LA's most ored sports star, Kobe Bryant. Speaking to Goal, Press said, "I'm not someone that holds too much luck or significance to a number, but when I wasn't able to wear my normal number, I definitely chose this with a little nod to Kobe. I'm an LA girl and grew up [when] everyone, everywhere we went, y were crazy for Kobe. amount of inspiration and joy that he gave people by way he played with his passion is amazing. It's something that, as athletes, we're all striving to do.”

Kobe Bryant, along with his daughter Gianna and seven ors, were killed in a tragic helicopter crash near Calabasas, California. 

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Christen Press, 31, is part of seven new faces brought in at Man United for 2020-21 campaign. Playing only ir second season in Women's Super League, Man United me key signings to ir squ in order to improve upon ir fourth-place finish last season. Press' US compatriot Tobin Heath was also signed this summer. She joins English club from Portland Thorns. 

Press and Heath are a part of historic United States women's national team (USWNT) that lifted  back-to-back World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019. In dition, both players also led ir national team to back-to-back CONCACAF Women's Championship titles in 2014 and 2018. Furrmore, Heath even led team to Olympic golds in 2008 and 2012. 

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Christen Press is amant new signings will have an instant impact at club, who are expected to fight for trophies this season. Press feels Man United now boasts a "relentless mindset" that will undoubtedly go a long way in bringing success to club. 

Press started her professional career with American side Pali Blues. She played for likes of Kopparbergs/Goteborg FC, Tyreso FF, Chicago Red Stars and Utah Royals before joining Man United this summer. Playing primarily as a forward, Press has scored 124 career goals in just 196 appearances. She scored anor 58 times in 138 appearances for USWNT.  

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(Image Credits: AP, Man United Women Twitter)