The world record for a women’s transfer has been broken for the second time this summer, after Orlando Pride completed a $1.5 million (£1.1m) move for Mexican international Lizbeth Ovalle.
Ovalle joins the National Women’s Soccer League side on a deal that will run through until the end of the 2027 season, with a mutual option for the 2028 campaign.
The move comes just one month after Olivia Smith’s move to Arsenal broke the world record which had been held by Chelsea’s £883,000 move for Naomi Girma in January.
Canadian international Smith became the first £1m player in women’s football history with her move from Liverpool.
However, she has now been joined in the £1m club by 25-year-old winger Ovalle.
Orlando Pride confirm £1.1m move for Lizbeth Ovalle
Orlando Pride confirmed the world record move for Lizbeth Ovalle in a statement on their club website.
The NWSL club referred to Ovalle by Jacquie (short for her middle name Jacqueline) in their statement.
Haley Carter, vice-president of soccer operations and sporting director at Orlando Pride, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Jacquie to Orlando Pride and make history together with this record-breaking transfer.
“This move represents our unwavering commitment to elevating women’s football and investing in world-class talent.”
Bienvenida a Orlando ✨
The Orlando Pride have signed Mexican midfielder Jacquie Ovalle to a world-record deal through 2027, with a mutual option for 2028.
— Orlando Pride (@ORLPride) August 21, 2025
Carter added: “We are deeply grateful to Jacquie and her agent, Jorge Rodriguez, for believing in our vision and putting their trust in what we have built and are continuing to grow here in Orlando. This signing signals our ambition to compete at the highest level while also advancing the women’s game on a global scale.”
Ovalle in her own statement, said: “I’m very happy to join Orlando Pride. 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.”
Who is Lizbeth Ovalle?
The move confirms reported earlier that Lizbeth Ovalle was set to complete the move to Orlando Pride.
Reports in Mexico had suggested that the move could be as much as £1.5m. However, Ovalle still breaks the world record with a £1.1m move.
Ovalle scored 119 goals in 258 appearances and won six Liga MX Femenil titles during her time at Tigres.
For Mexico, she has earned 58 caps and scored 20 goals. She was in the best XI in last year’s Concacaf W Gold Cup, where Mexico made the semi-finals.
She joins an Orlando Pride side which are currently third in the NWSL standings.
Orlando have two signings in the six most expensive players in women’s football history. Barbra Banda’s £582,000 move from Shanghai Shengli to Pride was worth £582,000 last year.
Top 10 most expensive signings in women’s football history
Olivia Smith’s £1m move from Liverpool to Arsenal drops to second in the list of the most expensive signings in women’s football history.
Lena Oberdorf’s £384,000 move from VfL Wolfsburg to Bayern Munich in 2024 drops out of the top 10.
Here is the full top 10 after Lizbeth Ovalle’s transfer to Orlando Pride.
- 10. Priscila from Internacional to Club America for £374,000
- 9. Mayra Ramirez from Levante to Chelsea for £384,000
- 8. Keira Walsh from Manchester City to Barcelona for £400,000
- 7. Keira Walsh from Barcelona to Chelsea for £460,000
- 6. Barbra Banda from Shanghai Shengli to Orlando Pride for £582,000
- 5. Tarciane from Houston Dash to Lyon for £650,000
- 4. Racheal Kundananji from Madrid CFF to Bay FC for £685,000
- 3. Naomi Girma from San Diego Wave to Chelsea for £883,000
- 2. Olivia Smith from Liverpool to Arsenal for £1m
- 1. Lizbeth Ovalle from Tigres to Orlando Pride for £1.1m
