BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona says it plans to start a women's soccer team in the United States.

Barcelona says its board has approved a "development plan" to have a women's team in the National Women's Soccer League.

Barcelona says it wants to field the team in 2018.

The NWSL is currently composed of 10 teams. Barcelona says it will be the first European club to join the league.

It wasn't clear whether Barcelona would seek to acquire an existing team or seek an expansion team.

"We were pleased to learn that earlier today the FC Barcelona Board of Directors approved a development plan for women's soccer in the United States and we look forward to continuing discussions with the club regarding expansion into the NWSL," the league said in a statement released Thursday.

Barcelona has a women's team in Spain. It is currently fighting for the league title with the season about to conclude.

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