1. She’s a two-time champion with Deportivo Cali
Manuela Paví arrives in east London having helped Deportivo Cali win the 2024 Colombian Women's Football League.
The 23-year-old returned to the domestic scene after featuring for her country at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, helping Cali clinch their second ever league title by firing in both the goals that downed Santa Fe in the second leg of the final which took place on 17 August, earlier this month.
It’s not the first time Paví has helped Las Azucareras to silverware. The forward was also part of the side that won their maiden championship in 2021, when they finished the campaign unbeaten and the young attacker scored six goals, which included one in the first leg of the final.
Paví will be hoping to replicate her goalscoring prowess in big matches when she pulls on the Claret and Blue shirt.
2. She starred at the Olympics this summer
Those who followed the aforementioned Olympic Games in Paris may recall seeing Paví in action as Colombia impressed on the big stage.
The forward scored against hosts France in a narrow 3-2 defeat in her nation's opening fixture of the Games, and she would go on to feature in their clashes against New Zealand, Canada and Spain. Colombia were ultimately beaten at the quarter-final stage by the Spanish on penalties, but the South American nation impressed with their performances.
Paví has been capped 13 times for her country since making her debut at the age of 18, and also appeared at the 2024 CONCACAF Gold Cup, where she netted twice.
3. She is looking forward to the challenge of the Women’s Super League
Paví began her career with Orsomarso Sportivo Clube, where she scored on her professional debut at the age of 17. She then made the move to Deportivo Cali in 2020, before swapping Colombia for Brazil to sign for Atlético Mineiro in 2023.
After a year in Brazil, the forward returned to Cali to play out the 2024 campaign. Now, she is excited about making the next step in her journey and playing in the top division in England.
“It’s going to be a challenge for me, but I think I’m going to fit in really well,” the 23-year-old explained.
“I’m someone who is going to fight for everything. I want to work hard and give my best in everything I do. That is something I know West Ham is known for, which is why I think this is the right Club for me.”
4. She was born amongst the mountains
Pavi hails from Pradera in the department of Valle del Cauca in Colombia, the south-eastern corner of the country. The area is flanked by the Andes mountain range, the longest continental mountain range in the world.
It’s where the forward began forging her career that would eventually lead to east London. She began playing football in her hometown area before she joined Femenino Palmira at a young age, and then she would eventually find her way to Orsomarso, where her senior career started.
