The summer transfer window for the NWSL closes on Monday night. As ESPN’s Jeff Kassouf has noted, this the external deadline. The teams can still make moves within the league until Oct. 8 when rosters are frozen.
Internationally, FIFA released its transfer snapshot for the summer window, from June 1 to Sept. 2. The data showed that spending on transfers in women’s soccer more than doubled over 2025, reaching $28.6 million. There were 1,406 international transfers registered, a new record and 19.2% greater than the previous record, according to FIFA.
Some other numbers of interest:
- English clubs led the spending with $8ย million, followed by Germany at $4.9ย million and the United States at $2.9 million.
- Swedish clubs were the biggest recipients of fees, receiving $4.2 million, edging out England at $4 million.
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There were, of course, several notable moves in the NWSL.
Probably the most notable incoming move this summer was Bay FC’s signing of Jenna Nighswonger from Arsenal for an undisclosed fee. Nighswonger, who was on the gold-medal winning U.S. Olympic team in Paris, only appeared in eight games for Arsenal.
โJenna is another great addition to our squad, showing real quality both sides of the ball,โ said head coach Emma Coates. โHer experience in the NWSL and WSL will add another dimension to our group. I believe she has the character and football intelligence to make a strong impact here and Iโm excited to work with her day to day supporting this next chapter in her career.โ
The Boston Legacy acquired midfielder Sarah Schupansky from Gotham, for $50,000 in allocation money and $30,000 in intraleague transfer fee funds.
The Seattle Reign acquired Ivory Coast international Ami Diallo from ASEC Mimosato for an undisclosed fee.
But some of the more notable were the transfers out of the league.
The Washington Spirit sent midfielder Rebeca Bernal to Manchester United for an undisclosed fee and add-ons. Bernal becomes the first Mexican international to play in the WSL.
Angel City transferred forward Casey Phair to Feyenoord Rotterdam in the Netherlands, the Houston Dash transferred Emina Ekiฤ to Italian club Parma, and the Chicago Stars FC sent forward Ivonne Chacรณn to Fiorentina.
A final word
Security at Providence Park removed some anti-trans activists from Sunday’s match between the Thorns and the Washington Spirit. This was absolutely the correct action, as their “activism” is harmful to members of the community.
Of course they cried to Outkick Sports. But someone on social media made the excellent point that you can’t be an a-hole to an entire community then complain when you are treated like an a-hole.
Links
Taylor Vincent had the transfer window covered for Spotrac
The Guardian looked at the international transfer window
The Guardian also took at look at the data behind the WSL’s transfer activity
ESPN says Tottenham and London City were the big transfer winners in Europe
Seb Hines was fired by the Orlando Pride
The Athletic on head coach retention in the NWSL
Should the NWSL get a cut of boot sponsorship deals?
Soccer: Annie Peterson, @AnnieMPeterson, AP Womenโs Soccer
Tennis: Joey Dillon, @JoeyDillon, Freelance Tennis Writer
Basketball: Howard Megdal, @HowardMegdal, The IX Sports
Softball: Maren Angus-Coombs, @Maren-Angus, The IX Sports
Golf: Marin Dremock, @MDremock, The IX Sports
Hockey: @TheIceGarden, The Ice Garden
Gymnastics: Jessica Taylor Price, @jesstaylorprice, Freelance Writer
