As the NWSL preseason rapidly approaches, the league's two incoming expansion teams announced key additions to their rosters over the last week as they pad out their inaugural squads.

On Tuesday, Denver Summit FC officially announced the signing of USYNT and CF Pachuca Femenil defender Ayo Oke for a reported $450,000 transfer fee — the most ever paid for an incoming US national.

The 22 year-old Cal and UCLA alum has been a mainstay in the USWNT youth pipeline since 2018, and became a Liga MX champion in her first-ever professional season last year.

"I'm excited to join Denver Summit FC and be part of building something new," said Oke in the club's announcement. "I'm ready to compete, grow, and help set the standard from day one."

Meanwhile on the East Coast, Boston Legacy FC has been more than keeping pace, bringing on Brazil national team defender Andressa "Kaká" Ferreira from top Brazilian side São Paulo, Colombian center back Jorelyn Carabalí from the WSL's Brighton & Hove Albion, Mexico international and former Club América left back Nicki Hernández, and Canada winger and NWSL free agent Bianca St-Georges — signing the quartet over the last six days.

With the NWSL expansion draft a thing of the past, Denver and Boston have been proactive in their acquisitions from the jump.

Denver has stocked up on NWSL veterans like Carson Pickett, Kaleigh Kurtz, Jordan Baggett, and first-ever signing Ally Watt — all of whom have earned at least one league championship — while Boston added reigning NWSL champ Ella Stevens while also targeting rising international stars like Brazil's Amanda Gutierres and Laís Araújo.

With the 2026 NWSL campaign looming, clubs only have a few weeks left to finalize their preseason rosters — with more than a few big-name free agents still in the mix.

Incoming 2026 expansion side Boston Legacy FC is stocking up, signing former Gotham FC forward Ella Stevens to a two-year contract with a mutual third-year option in another top NWSL talent transaction.

"It's a blank slate. It's a new challenge, the staff, the coach. I just think the energy is here, and I want to win," Stevens said in Monday's press release.

Stevens joined Gotham in 2024 after four seasons with Chicago, winning both the 2025 Concacaf W Champions Cup and the 2025 NWSL Championship with her new team in quick succession.

"Ella is a proven NWSL player whose best years are still ahead of her. She brings a strong team-first mindset and competitiveness that fits exactly with what we're building in Boston," said Boston Legacy GM Domè Guasch about the 28-year-old Duke alum.

"She'll make an impact on the field, but just as importantly, she elevates the people around her," Guasch added. "Ella understands what it takes to win at the highest level, and that experience will be invaluable as we set high standards and look to be competitive from day one."

Stevens joins an inaugural Boston Legacy roster that also includes standout goalkeeper Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage), 18-year-old rising star forward Chloe Ricketts (Washington Spirit), and Brazil forward and 2025 Ballon d'Or nominee Amanda Gutierres (Palmeiras).

Boston's roster will make its debut in the club's Gillette Stadium home opener at 12:30 PM ET on Saturday, March 14th.