Orlando Pride Signs Lizbeth Ovalle As Most Expensive Player In Women’s Football History

‎Mexican attacking midfielder, Lizbeth Ovalle, became the most expensive signing in women’s football history on Thursday, transferring from Tigres to the U.S. club Orlando Pride for an estimated fee of $1.5 million.

‎A Mexican international with 62 caps and 22 goals has set a new record, surpassing the previous holder, Arsenal, who signed Olivia Smith from Liverpool for $1.3 million on July 17.

‎Smith has joined Orlando Pride on a contract through 2027, with an option for an additional year.

‎Nicknamed ‘La Magicienne’, Ovalle scored 136 goals and provided 103 assists in 294 appearances for Las Amazonas in all competitions, leading the club to six Liga MX Femenil titles and three Campeón de Campeonas Cups.

‎”With the previous signing of striker Barbra Banda last year, Pride have now completed two of the most expensive transfers in the history of women’s football, making the club the only one in the world to feature twice among the six most expensive moves of all time,” boasted the Florida club. Banda joined Orlando in March 2024 for the sum of 681,000 euros.

‎Women’s football continues to shatter transfer records. In January 2025, Naomi Girma moved from San Diego Wave to Chelsea, becoming the first to exceed €1 million.

‎Since then, 21-year-old Canadian Olivia Smith has broken that record, and it may not be long before Ovalle’s mark falls as well.