National Women’s Soccer League and U.S. women’s national team star Trinity Rodman will return to Washington and play for the Spirit on a new contract that keeps her with the club through 2028. According to ESPN, the deal makes Rodman the highest-paid women’s soccer player in the world, earning more than $1 million per year.
Team owner Michele Kang made the announcement, seated at a small table alongside president of soccer operations Haley Carter and chief executive officer Kim Stone. Rodman joined Kang on stage shortly thereafter, welcomed with a video featuring young fans expressing their excitement about the enigmatic forward.
“I should have brought tissues,” Rodman said through joyful tears, as the video finished.
Rodman entered the offseason as a free agent and reportedly received offers from clubs within the Women’s Champions League and Gainbridge Super League before electing to return to the National Women’s Soccer League.
The event was held in California, where Rodman is in camp with the USWNT. The team is set to play Paraguay in a set of friendlies on Jan. 24 and 27 in Carson and Santa Barbara. Kang revealed that she had flown from London to attend.
“It feels amazing,” Rodman said after signing a contract on stage. “I’ve always had a vision and kind of an idea of what I wanted my legacy to be and continue to be, and for me, we’re doing that.”
Rodman was drafted by Washington in 2021 as the second overall pick. She helped the club win the NWSL title during her debut season and earned NWSL Rookie of the Year honors.
“I can’t think about Washington Spirit without her, and I hope she can’t think about her career without Washington Spirit,” Kang said. “This is really monumental and it is really important, not only for the Spirit, and especially for our fans who expect to see her.”
The Washington Spirit start their 2026 campaign on March 13 against Portland Thorns FC at Audi Field.
