Orlando Pride has signed winger Lizbeth Ovalle from Liga MX club Tigres Femenil for reportedly a women’s world-record transfer fee, the National Women’s Soccer League club said on Thursday.
Ovalle joined for USD 1.5 million, according to U.S. media reports, signing a two-year deal with an option to extend until 2028.
The 25-year-old Mexico international’s transfer purportedly eclipses the USD 1.3 million Champions League winner Arsenal paid to sign Canadian forward Olivia Smith from Liverpool last month.
Ovalle will feature in the inaugural Liga MX Femenil All-Star Game against three-time Champions League winner Barcelona on Friday before completing her move to Orlando.
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“I’m very happy to join Orlando Pride,” Ovalle said in a statement. “I’m coming with the clear objective of winning titles and leaving a mark with the Club. I’m ready to give it my all and help Orlando Pride continue to be a leading team.”
Ovalle became Tigres Femenil’s all-time top scorer with 136 goals and 103 assists in 294 appearances over eight years, helping the club win six Liga MX Femenil titles. She has earned 81 caps for Mexico, scoring 20 goals and playing a key role in its 2023 Pan American Games gold-medal run.
“This is a historic transfer not only for our institution, but also for Mexican and global soccer,” Tigres said in a release announcing the deal. “The transfer of a player widely recognized as the best in the Liga MX Femenil has been finalised.”
The 2024 NWSL champion Orlando Pride is currently third in the standings after 16 games, 12 points behind leader KC Current.
(With AP inputs)
Published on Aug 21, 2025
