Orlando Pride Signs Lizbeth Ovalle in $1.5M Women's Soccer Transfer Record

Orlando Pride has made a landmark signing by acquiring Mexican international winger Lizbeth Ovalle from Tigres Femenil for a world-record women's soccer transfer fee of $1.5 million. Ovalle, 25, signed a two-year contract with an option to extend to 2028, surpassing the previous record held by Olivia Smith's $1.3 million move to Arsenal. Ovalle is Tigres' all-time top scorer with six Liga MX Femenil titles and has earned over 50 caps for Mexico, where she played a key role in their 2023 Pan American Games gold and was named in the Best XI at the 2023 Concacaf W Gold Cup. The deal includes a 10% sell-on clause for Tigres and marks the first world-record transfer fee for a Mexican player, male or female. Orlando Pride, the reigning 2024 NWSL champions currently third in the standings, aims to boost their title defense with Ovalle's proven talent and international experience. This signing also signals the NWSL's growing prominence in women's soccer transfer markets, previously dominated by the Women's Super League.