Orlando Pride have made Lizbeth Ovalle the most expensive signing in women’s football history by sealing a deal with the Mexico winger from Tigres UANL in a contract worth $1.5million (£1.1m).
The transfer broke the record set by Arsenal only last month, when the Champions League holders signed Canada forward Olivia Smith from Liverpool in a £1m deal.
Ovalle, 25, has signed a two-year deal with the NWSL champions with a mutual option to extend the contract by another year.
“I’m coming with the clear objective of winning titles and leaving a mark with the club,” Ovalle said.
“I’m ready to give it my all and help the Pride continue to be a leading team.”
Pride owner and chairman of the club, Mark Wilf, described Ovalle as “a world-class talent and a proven winner, and her arrival in Orlando marks another step on our journey to position the Pride among the elite clubs in global women’s soccer”.
Ovalle began her career at Tigres in 2017 and has helped them win six league titles.
She leaves the Mexican club as their all-time leading scorer with136 goals and 103 assists in 294 appearances during an eight-year stay.
Ovalle has also won 81 international caps for Mexico, scoring 20 goals, and was included in the team of the tournament at the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup held in the United States.
