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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.<\/b><\/p>\n
The fee paid by the National Women’s Soccer League side has not been officially disclosed.<\/p>\n
Some are reporting it to be $2.3m, external<\/span><\/a> (about \u00a31.7m), which would make Luvanga the most expensive female footballer in history.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The Spirit declined to comment on the fee involved when contacted by BBC Sport.<\/p>\n Luvanga, 21, has signed a contract running to the end of the 2029 NWSL season.<\/p>\n If the reported record figure is correct, it would mean the fee passes the \u00a31.4m that London City Lionesses are said to have paid to Paris St-Germain for Grace Geyoro<\/a> last year.<\/p>\n However, the Geyoro fee has been disputed, further illustrating how transfer figures in the women’s game are often kept private.<\/p>\n With her move, Luvanga becomes the first Tanzanian player in NWSL history.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n She also claimed the league’s golden boot last season after scoring 24 goals in 14 appearances.<\/p>\n The Washington Spirit are owned by Michele Kang, who also owns London City Lionesses.<\/p>\n London City made a series of high-profile signings during the summer transfer window, including two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas<\/a> who arrived from Barcelona on a three-year deal.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n “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.”<\/p>\n Spirit sporting director James Hocken said: “Clara adds an exciting new dimension to our attack as we head toward the play-offs.<\/p>\n “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.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n