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I know last week we said to go get paid … but don’t everyone leave at once. Emily Olsen here with Meg Linehan, Jeff Rueter and Melanie Anzidei — welcome to Full Time!
Heading Abroad
Just in: Nighswonger to Arsenal 🚨
The tea isn’t even cold yet on Naomi Girma’s $1.1 million transfer to Chelsea, and now another U.S. women’s national team defender is packing her bags for England.
Arsenal are finalizing a deal for former NWSL Rookie of the Year Jenna Nighswonger from Gotham FC. As Meg reported moments ago, Arsenal is offering $100,000 for Nighswonger’s transfer (she’s under contract with Gotham through 2025). A quick refresher:
- Nighswonger was part of the USWNT’s Olympic roster last summer, but made her debut for the Americans in December 2023 after receiving her first camp call-up a month prior.
- Her minutes at Gotham dipped in the latter half of the 2024 season following the addition of Jess Carter and increased playing time for Mandy Freeman, but the 24-year-old Nighswonger is only just getting started.
This move abroad follows those of Girma and former NWSL MVP Kerolin. So is it time for the league to…
