Universitario de Deportes has never been a club to shy away from making headlines, but this week, the Lima giants truly shook up the Peruvian football scene. On Friday, August 16, 2025, the club officially welcomed Colombian striker Catalina Usme—one of South America’s most decorated and prolific forwards—to their women’s squad. Usme, who just finished as runner-up in the 2025 Copa América Femenina with Colombia, arrived from Galatasaray of Turkey, instantly becoming the most high-profile signing in Universitario’s history.
The announcement sent shockwaves through the region, not just for the caliber of the player but for what her arrival signals: Universitario is betting big on its women’s project. The club rolled out the red carpet for Usme, honoring her remarkable international career with a special tribute. In a statement that quickly went viral, Universitario declared, “Catalina Usme, historic top scorer in the Copa Libertadores and the Colombia National Team, as well as a World Cup player for her country, joins Universitario to bring all her experience, leadership, and talent. Let’s make history together, Cata!”
Usme, now 35, wasted no time integrating with her new teammates. She hit the training pitch at Estadio Lolo Fernández on Friday, greeted by fans and club officials who understand just how significant her presence could be. The session also marked a family reunion of sorts, as Catalina teamed up once again with her brother, Andrés Usme, Universitario’s head coach. The siblings previously combined their talents at América de Cali, where Catalina starred on the field and Andrés called the shots from the touchline—a partnership that yielded silverware and plenty of headlines in Colombia.
But what makes Catalina Usme such a monumental addition to Universitario? The numbers tell the story. She has scored a staggering 65 official goals for the Colombian national team, a record that cements her as one of South America’s most lethal finishers. In the Copa Libertadores Femenina—the continent’s top club competition—Usme stands alone as the all-time leading scorer, having netted 37 times. Her knack for finding the back of the net is matched only by her leadership and experience in the game’s biggest arenas.
Usme’s trophy cabinet is nothing short of impressive. With América de Cali, she lifted the Colombian professional league title twice, in 2019 and 2022, becoming a club icon and a symbol of women’s football in her homeland. Her international résumé is even more dazzling: four Copa América appearances (runner-up in 2010, 2014, 2022, and 2025), three FIFA Women’s World Cups (2011, 2015, and 2023), and two Olympic Games (London 2012 and Rio 2016). Few players in the region can match that level of sustained excellence on the global stage.
And let’s not forget her exploits at the Pan American Games. Usme brought home a silver medal from Guadalajara in 2011 and stood atop the podium with gold in Lima in 2019. Internationally, she’s been recognized by the IFFHS, earning a spot in the ideal eleven of the Americas and a nomination for World Player of the Year in 2021. Over the past decade, she’s been widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in women’s football across the continent.
For Universitario, the timing couldn’t be better. The club is in the thick of the Torneo Clausura in the Liga Femenina, and the squad is riding high after back-to-back victories over Real Áncash FC and Universidad César Vallejo. Those early wins have given the team a perfect start—and now, with Usme in the lineup, expectations are soaring. This weekend, Universitario faces a tricky away fixture against Killas FC, a match that suddenly feels like must-watch football. Will Usme make her debut? Fans are buzzing with anticipation.
It’s not just about goals and assists, though. Usme’s arrival is a statement of intent from Universitario’s management. By landing a player of her stature, the club is signaling its ambition to dominate domestically and make a splash in continental competitions. The move has already galvanized supporters and drawn attention from across South America, with many pundits calling it a game-changer for Peruvian women’s football.
“She brings a winning mentality and a wealth of experience that will lift everyone around her,” said a club official, echoing the sentiments of fans who see Usme as the missing piece in Universitario’s title puzzle. Her leadership, honed over years of competing at the highest level, is expected to have a ripple effect throughout the squad, both on and off the pitch.
For Usme herself, this new chapter represents both a challenge and an opportunity. After a successful stint in Turkey with Galatasaray and a decorated career in Colombia, she now has the chance to leave her mark in a new league and inspire the next generation of female footballers in Peru. “Let’s make history together, Cata!”—the club’s rallying cry—resonates not just as a slogan but as a genuine call to arms.
As kickoff approaches for the clash against Killas FC, all eyes are on Universitario. Will Usme start? Can she replicate her scoring heroics in a new environment? The answers will come soon enough, but one thing is clear: the landscape of Peruvian women’s football has shifted, and the bar has been raised. With a legend like Usme leading the line, Universitario’s ambitions suddenly look a lot more realistic.
Whether she’s breaking records, lifting trophies, or mentoring young talent, Catalina Usme’s influence is undeniable. Her signing is more than just a transfer—it’s a watershed moment for the club and the league. As Universitario prepares for its next challenge, the excitement is palpable. The journey is just beginning, but with Usme in the fold, anything feels possible.
