Photo provided
Chloe Ricketts became the youngest signing in National Women’s Soccer League history on Friday, joining the Washington Spirit as a 15-year-old. Ricketts is a high school sophomore who trialed with the Spirit during preseason before signing a three-year deal with an option via the NWSL’s new under-18 entry mechanism.
Ricketts, a midfielder, signed with the team at 15 years, 283 days old — three days younger than Olivia Moultrie when she signed with the Portland Thorns in 2021. Moultrie’s signing was held up by a legal battle with the league. Ultimately, the settlement that allowed Moultrie to enter the NWSL opened the door for future teenagers to join the league.
The NWSL introduced new rules this offseason that allow teams to bring in two trialists under the age of 18, with the ability to sign them outside of the traditional draft method that was once required by the league. Washington and Angel City FC are among the teams the each added the maximum of two, under-18 trialists.
A common denominator…
