Aurélie Gagnet, a defender for the U19 French National Team, will join Kansas University’s soccer team this fall, KU coach Mark Francis announced.

“I saw Aurélie playing in the Euro U19 Championships in April and knew right away she was someone I needed to go after to play at Kansas,” Francis said. “Aurélie is very quick, attacks very well out of the back and is very good technically. The French style of play is very similar to the way Kansas tries to play, so the transition to our team will be smooth for her. I look forward to coaching Aurélie and having her join our program.”

Gagnet started for France’s U19 National Team which made an undefeated run through qualifying rounds of the UEFA U19 Championship this spring. In the tournament’s qualifying rounds, Gagnet’s defensive efforts guided France to allow only one opponent goal in three international matches. She was also able to notch a goal in France’s 3-0 victory over Switzerland on April 9.

The Montpellier, France native is also a member of Montpellier Hérault Sport Club, the three-time reigning French champions. The 5-foot-3 defensive specialist has played soccer since she was 5 and was also a member of Ivry-la-Bataille, an elite club team, from 1999-2008.

Gagnet will look to lead her U19 French squad to a European championship as the team begins the finals stage of the UEFA tournament in early August.

With Gagnet’s addition, KU will have six newcomers on its 2013 roster.