San Diego Wave FC announced Sunday that star youth midfielder Jaedyn Shaw has signed with the team through 2023.
“I believe wholeheartedly in the development and investment in young players, and as a club, we are passionate about giving them the platform to perform,” head coach Casey Stoney said. “We are extremely excited to sign Jaedyn. She has a very bright future, and I look forward to working with her and supporting her pathway to the highest level.”
Shaw most recently started for the USWNT U-20 team, scoring two goals in three matches en route to the Sud Ladies Cup title in France. The Texas native is expected to make the roster for next month’s FIFA U20 World Cup in Costa Rica.
San Diego, meanwhile, sits atop the league table — having done so for 10 straight weeks — with a 6-3-3 record. Forward Alex Morgan currently leads the Golden Boot race with 11 goals through 10 matches.
“I couldn’t be more excited to join San Diego Wave,” Shaw said. “I’m looking forward to learning from Casey Stoney and the staff while helping the team continue to win games and hopefully bring home a championship in the club’s inaugural year!”
The 17-year-old went through the NWSL’s discovery process a little over a week ago. While she would have been eligible for the 2023 entry draft, the league amended the entry process for Shaw. She was granted special permission to enter the league in what commissioner Jessica Berman called a “special circumstance.”
But her rights were acquired by San Diego during the process, despite the fact that she trained with the Spirit during preseason. Shaw had been listed on the team’s roster.
Following the discovery process, Spirit head coach Kris Ward said the two sides were “continuing to talk” with Washington hoping to trade for Shaw. That appears to no longer be the situation, with Shaw thanking the Spirit in San Diego’s release.
“I want to thank the Washington Spirit for providing me a professional training environment for the past 6 months,” Shaw said. “I am very grateful for their support. I also want to thank the NWSL for facilitating a pathway for me to join the league and start my childhood dream of becoming a professional soccer player.”
San Diego next plays the Chicago Red Stars at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, July 30.