A few more days are left in the August transfer and the hits keep on coming.
Here are the headlines since the last update:
- Abby Dahlkemper Traded from the San Diego Wave to Bay FC
- Canadian goalkeeper Lysianne Proulx Traded from Bay FC to Juventus
- Paige Nielsen Signs New Four-Year Contract with the Houston Dash
- Ellie Wheeler Signs New Four-Year Contract with the Kansas City Current
- Portland Thorns Trade Portuguese forward Ana Dias to Tigres UANL
- Washington Spirit Upgrade NTR Players to Season Contracts
Also, the initial lists of free agents for the 2025 season were released.
Free Agency Lists
On Monday, the NWSL Players Association and the NWSL each released a list of eligible free agents for next season. Curiously, the league’s press release has two additional names not mentioned on the NWSLPA’s list: Canadian forward Jordyn Huitema and defender Ryanne Brown, both of whom play for the Seattle Reign. (NWSLPA press release, League press release)
On Friday, the league’s free agency list should be updated with the names of players who had contractual options (either mutual or unilateral) that were not exercised. The negotiation period for free agents begins on Sunday, September 1st. (NWSL’s “Free Agency Explained” page)
Abby Dahlkemper Traded from the San Diego Wave to Bay FC
The big news of the week so far is the move of center-back Abby Dahlkemper to Bay FC from the San Diego Wave. On Monday, the Wave and Bay FC announced the trade, which was requested by Dahlkemper, who grew up in the Bay area. As part of the trade, the Wave acquired $50,000 in allocation money. Bay FC also announced that the 31-year-old has been signed to a two-year contract extension through the 2026 NWSL season, with an unspecified option for the 2027 season. (Wave press release, Bay FC press release)
Canadian goalkeeper Lysianne Proulx Traded from Bay FC to Juventus
Also on Monday, Bay FC transferred goalkeeper Lysianne Proulx to Juventus F.C. of Italy for an undisclosed transfer fee. The 25-year-old Canadian is uncapped at the senior level, but was on Canada’s roster for the 2023 Women’s World Cup and was named as an alternate for this year’s Olympics tournament (August 26th press release)
Paige Nielsen Signs New Four-Year Contract with the Houston Dash
On Tuesday, the Dash revealed that defender Paige Nielsen, who will turn 31 in October, has signed a new four-year extension, which lasts through the 2028 NWSL season. Nielsen only joined the Dash in April, via a last minute trade from Angel City. (August 27th press release)
Ellie Wheeler Signs New Four-Year Contract with the Kansas City Current
Also on Tuesday, the Current announced that rookie defender Ellie Wheeler has been signed to a four-year contract, which should see the 22-year-old stay on with the team through the 2028 NWSL season. Wheeler has featured in 14 of 17 regular season matches for Kansas City so far this year, including 7 starts. (August 27th press release)
Portland Thorns Trade Portuguese forward Ana Dias to Tigres UANL
On Monday, the Thorns transferred the 26-year-old to Liga MX Femenil side Tigres UANL. (August 26th press release) Dias was acquired in March on a one-season contract, with a mutual option for 2025. (March 20th press release)
Washington Spirit Upgrade NTR Players to Season Contracts
On Friday, the Spirit announced that two National Team Replacement players have been signed for the rest of the 2024 season: 24-year-old defender Jenna Butler and 26-year-old goalkeeper Kaylie Collins. (August 23rd press release)
Butler, who was signed as an NTR player back on July 19th (NC State press release), started all three of the Spirit’s Summer Cup matches.
Collins provides the Spirit with a third goalkeeper while Lyza Bosselmann recovers from an injury. Collins joined the Spirit in June, originally as a training player.
Women's Soccer Express 