Tanzanian striker Clara Luvanga has joined the Washington Spirit from Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr in a deal believed to be one of the most costly in the history of women’s football.
The fee paid by the National Women’s Soccer League side has not been officially disclosed.
Some are reporting it to be $2.3m, external (about £1.7m), which would make Luvanga the most expensive female footballer in history.
BBC Sport has not been able to verify this figure, although a well-placed source said they believed it ranked in the top five most expensive signings in the women’s game.
The Spirit declined to comment on the fee involved when contacted by BBC Sport.
Luvanga, 21, has signed a contract running to the end of the 2029 NWSL season.
If the reported record figure is correct, it would mean the fee passes the £1.4m that London City Lionesses are said to have paid to Paris St-Germain for Grace Geyoro last year.
However, the Geyoro fee has been disputed, further illustrating how transfer figures in the women’s game are often kept private.
With her move, Luvanga becomes the first Tanzanian player in NWSL history.
Luvanga won the Saudi Women’s Premier League in all three of her seasons with Al-Nassr, as well as the Saudi Women’s Cup, Saudi Women’s Super Cup and West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) Women’s Clubs Championship.
She also claimed the league’s golden boot last season after scoring 24 goals in 14 appearances.
The Washington Spirit are owned by Michele Kang, who also owns London City Lionesses.
London City made a series of high-profile signings during the summer transfer window, including two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas who arrived from Barcelona on a three-year deal.
Luvanga made her senior international debut for Tanzania in 2024. Before joining Al-Nassr in 2023, she played for DUX Logrono in Spain, having developed through the youth system at Tanzanian club Yanga Princess.
When discussing 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 under way, but I’m really excited to play in a new league and a new country.”
Spirit sporting director James Hocken said: “Clara adds an exciting new dimension to our attack as we head toward the play-offs.
“Despite her young age, she has demonstrated the ability to score goals in different ways and has the profile to be very successful in this league.”
