The wording from Liverpool is "obligation to buy", which sounds like they agreed to a deal where they've sold her but Gotham gets to defer paying the transfer fee (and part of her salary?) off until next year in order to game the salary cap.
https://stumptown-footy.ghost.io/br...ough-2029-nwsl-national-womens-soccer-league/ BREAKING: The Portland Thorns sign forward Pietra Tordin to contract extension through 2029 July 17, 2026 https://stumptown-footy.ghost.io/br...8-canada-womens-national-team-canwnt-baonpdx/ BREAKING: Portland Thorns midfielder Jessie Fleming signs contract extension through 2028 July 16, 2026 Two big contract renewals for the Thorns, leaves Sophia Wilson as the last big free-agent to deal with. No doubt she'll be offered a HIP contract (?), or does she lack the necessary credentials. Guess she could be MVP finalist or 2026 national team minutes . . .I don't know.
Locking down their players. https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/nwsl-introduces-high-impact-player-rule I think she meets the criteria, if they are considering either of the past 2 years, and not both of the past 2 years. Saying that, I would assume if it means both years, though Wilson should be given an exception for being on pregnancy leave for all of 2025 (this would apply to Swanson as well). That said, it will be interesting to see how this is handled as her husband is a rather successful NFL player and it might allow the team to bring in another HIP player, though I doubt that would be the case.
Alimata Belem (SD Eibar) ------------------------------ > Washington Spirit (saying on loan with SD Eibar) Washington increase their African contingent.
Contract through 2029 season according to Taylor Vincent: https://bsky.app/profile/tayvincent6.bsky.social/post/3mr6cq6xcas2n
Vincent also reports that Trinity Armstrong (defender San Diego) and Jordyn Huitema (forward Chicago) were placed on SEI, (Season Ending Injury) lists for their respective clubs. Huitema suffered an ACL injury in her last game. Armstrong, suffered an undisclosed injury after having just come back from a knee injury.
I put that in the news thread since it seemed more appropriate there. Also thought we had an injury thread, but guess not.
https://washingtonspirit.com/blog/2026/07/23/washington-spirit-signs-midfielder-melissa-bethi/ Washington Spirit Signs Midfielder Mélissa Bethi July 23, 2026 Spirit sign 20 yo Melissa Bethi MF from FC Nantes through 2029. Born and raised in France, but represents Algeria through her father's heritage. Came up through Lyon. Also, earlier this month: https://washingtonspirit.com/blog/2...rit-signs-cameroonian-standout-monique-ngock/ Washington Spirit Signs Cameroonian Standout Monique Ngock July 9, 2026 Spirit sign 21 yo Monique Ngock, MF from FC Fleury 91 through 2028. She played previously with Reims for 41 games. So, these three are also playing in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations along with three Spirit teammates, Gift Monday, Rosemonde Kouassi, and Deborah Abiodun!
Got to give credit to Kang for her continuous buying power despite being sued for $600 million by a French firm for corporate take over of Lyon. Looks like she’s just bought Salma Paralleulo for that club
To be fair, her company is being sued. And it also will not really have an impact on being able to pay a player (the move is a free) even at the high wages that Paralluelo is likely getting. I haven't read it much, but it also has to do with some claim of intentional manipulation, which from what I have seen, seems dubious. Saying that, I'm not following the story close.
Esther also missed the FIFA Women's Champions Cup in Jan./Feb. due to Family Leave, so I guess family comes first as it should. She had a contract extension last year that ran through 2027. Gotham might now have some wiggle-room to find some replacement or reinforcement--their roster now has only 23 players.
Laila Harbert (Arsenal) ---------------------------> San Diego Wave Khyah Harper (Gotham FC) -------------------------> Houston Dash
https://www.nccourage.com/news/north-carolina-courage-sign-norwegian-midfielder-vilde-boe-risa NORTH CAROLINA COURAGE SIGN NORWEGIAN MIDFIELDER VILDE BØE RISA 29 July 2026 31 yo MF on a free transfer from Atletico Madrid where she was a 3-year starter. Also played played in Champions League. Seems a good fit for Courage, they get a highly capable, experienced midfielder who can blend in well with Jackson and Shinomi.
one thing got to be proven with Michelle Kang, considering that her London City had by far the best recruiting summer session by any club in the world, let’s hope she pledges to uphold FIFA/UEFA rules that state that no majority owner can have two clubs in the Champions League(this means of course if London qualifies for next year) Im afraid if she intends to sue/take this matter court, than we’ll get labeled the Ugly American once again by the rest of the world
*looks at Trump* Kang won't change that label, whether she wins or loses. I might be remembering things wrong, but I think there has been prior case law in Europe that the ban on multi-club ownership in the CL has been upheld.
She's being sued by Textor, one of the top villains in world soccer, this is great PR for her. He just had a bad day in a different lawsuit: One for the John Textor completists. Iconic, one of the funds that invested in Eagle, has won its row with him in London’s commercial courts. Textor owes Iconic $99.6m, plus daily interest of $22,602.74!Iconic: “The time has come for him to honour his contractual obligations.” pic.twitter.com/Pz7gBzTnzJ— Matt Slater (@mjshrimper) July 30, 2026
Gabi Nunes (Aston Villa) ------------------------> Orlando Pride (Free?) Signed until the end of 2026. https://www.orlandocitysc.com/pride/news/orlando-pride-signs-forward-gabi-nunes