Washington Spirit have completed the signing of Tanzania international Clara Luvanga from Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, in a deal reported to be the most expensive in the history of women’s football.
The exact fee paid by the NWSL side hasn’t been confirmed (or denied!) by either club. However, some reports have put the figure at $2.3m (about £1.7m), which would make Luvanga the most expensive female footballer ever.
If accurate, the reported fee would surpass the previous reported record of £1.4m that London City Lionesses are said to have paid Paris Saint-Germain for Grace Geyoro last year (although that figure has also been disputed).
A Rapid Rise from Tanzania for Clara Luvanga
21-year-old Clara Luvanga began her career at Tanzanian club Yanga Princess before moving to Spanish side DUX Logrono in August 2023.
Her stay in Spain was brief, and by October she’d joined Al-Nassr.
Over three seasons there, she won the Saudi Women’s Premier League title each year, along with the Saudi Women’s Cup, Saudi Women’s Super Cup, and WAFF Women’s Clubs Championship, and was last season’s top scorer with 24 goals in 14 appearances.
She now becomes the first Tanzanian player in NWSL history, joining a Washington Spirit squad that already features seven African internationals.
On joining her new club, Luvanga said: “I am very excited to join the Washington Spirit and to take on this new challenge in the NWSL.
“I know I am arriving with the season already underway, but I’m really excited to play in a new league and a new country.”
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