Washington Spirit sign Luvanga - but is it a record deal?

What the report says

Tanzanian striker Clara Luvanga has completed a move from Saudi club Al-Nassr to Washington Spirit, with BBC Sport Football reporting that the fee is believed to be among the highest ever in women’s football and could be a world record, although the figure has not been officially confirmed. The National Women’s Soccer League club did not disclose the cost, and BBC Sport said it could not verify the reported $2.3m price tag. Luvanga, 21, has signed through the end of the 2029 NWSL season.

If the reported amount is accurate, it would surpass other widely discussed fees in the women’s game, though BBC Sport noted that transfer values in women’s football are often kept private and disputed. The move also makes Luvanga the first Tanzanian player in NWSL history.

Luvanga arrives in the United States after a productive spell in Saudi Arabia, where she helped Al-Nassr win multiple domestic and regional trophies and finished last season as the league’s top scorer with 24 goals in 14 matches. Before that, she played in Spain with DUX Logrono and came through Yanga Princess in Tanzania.

Washington Spirit sporting director James Hocken said she adds attacking quality for the club’s push toward the play-offs. Luvanga said she was excited to begin a new challenge in a new league and country. More broadly, the signing underlines the growing spending power in women’s football and the increasing movement of players across major leagues.