Washington Spirit have completed the signing of Tanzanian forward Clara Luvanga from Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, in a deal reported to be among the most expensive in the history of women's football.
While the National Women's Soccer League club has not officially confirmed the transfer fee, reports suggest the figure stands at around $2.3m (approximately £1.7m). If accurate, that would make the 21-year-old the most expensive female player ever, surpassing the £1.4m London City Lionesses reportedly paid Paris Saint-Germain for Grace Geyoro last year — though that fee itself has been contested. A source close to the situation indicated the deal likely ranks among the top five priciest transfers in the women's game, even if the exact number remains unverified. The Spirit have declined to discuss the financial details.
Luvanga has put pen to paper on a contract that will keep her at the club through the end of the 2029 NWSL season, becoming the first Tanzanian player to feature in the league's history.
Her journey to Washington has been swift and impressive. Luvanga began her career at Yanga Princess in Tanzania before making the leap to European football with Spanish club DUX Logrono in August 2023. That stint proved short-lived, as she moved to Al-Nassr just two months later — a switch that would define the next phase of her career.
Across three seasons in Saudi Arabia, Luvanga was central to Al-Nassr's dominance, helping the club capture the Saudi Women's Premier League title in every campaign, along with the Saudi Women's Cup, Saudi Women's Super Cup and the WAFF Women's Clubs Championship. Her standout campaign came last season, when she claimed the league's golden boot after netting 24 goals in just 14 matches.
While in Saudi Arabia, Luvanga also crossed paths with Al-Nassr men's team superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, whose work ethic left a lasting impression on her.