The Washington Spirit have signed the youngest player in NWSL history.
The Spirit signed high school sophomore Chloe Ricketts to a three-year contract, the team announced Friday. At 15 years and 283 days old, the midfielder just beats out Portland Thorns phenom Olivia Moultrie, who signed with her club at 15 years and 286 days old in 2021.
Ricketts’ deal runs through the 2025 season, with an option for 2026. She will join the league through “the NWSL’s new Under-18 Entry Mechanism,” the Spirit said in their release. Under the mechanism, she has a full roster spot, cannot be traded or waived before her 18th birthday without her and her parents’ consent and is ineligible for selection in expansion drafts.
The Michigan native will continue her education virtually during the NWSL season as she pursues her soccer career.
“The opportunity to join the Washington Spirit on a professional contract is a dream come true,” Ricketts said in the news release. “I’m looking forward to continuing my development as a player and individual with the great resources here in the District.”
Spirit signs youngest-ever player to NWSL contract!
— Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) March 3, 2023
Ricketts joined the team for preseason training camp in January as a non-roster invitee, where she made a big impression, coach Mark Parsons said.
“This season, we remain very focused on building a roster that can help us succeed now while also investing in the future,” Parsons said in the news release. “Chloe has shown great quality with and without the ball and has an incredible intensity in everything she does.”