Washington, 22 August 2025 (dpa/MIA) - US side Orlando Pride have broken the world transfer record in women's football, signing Mexico forward Lizbeth Jacqueline Ovalle from Tigres for a reported $1.5 million.

The fee has not been confirmed by either club, but the NWSL team said the transfer was a "new world record for women's soccer," beating the £1 million ($1.34 million) Liverpool paid Arsenal for Canada striker Olivia Smith earlier this summer.

US sports broadcaster ESPN cited sources as saying the transfer fee was $1.5 million and that there was also a 10% sell-on fee for Tigres.

Ovalle has signed a contract until 2027 with an option for a further year, Pride said in a Thursday statement.

The 25-year-old - nicknamed "La Maga" (the magician) - has won six Mexican league titles with her home club Tigres since 2017 and is the side's record goalscorer with 136 goals.

The forward has scored 28 times for Mexico in 58 appearances.

"Jacquie is a world-class talent and a proven winner, and her arrival in Orlando marks another step on our journey to position the Pride among the elite clubs in global women's soccer," said Orlando Pride owner Mark Wilf, according to a statement from the club.

"I'm very happy to join Orlando Pride," said Ovalle . "I'm coming with the clear objective of winning titles and leaving a mark with the club. I'm ready to give it my all and help Orlando Pride continue to be a leading team."

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Mexican national soccer player Lizbeth Ovalle is leaving for a record transfer fee. Orlando Pride of the US professional league NWSL is paying $1.5 million (approximately €1.29 million) to UANL Tigres for the 25-year-old attacker, the AP news agency reported. The US team did not disclose the amount, but described it as a "world record for women's soccer" in a statement.

Just over a month ago, Canadian international striker Olivia Smith (21) set a record with her transfer from Liverpool to Arsenal WFC for approximately €1.16 million. And in January, Chelsea WFC paid San Diego Wave €1.06 million for the transfer of US international Naomi Girma.

Winger Ovalle has signed a contract in Orlando until 2027, with an option for a further year. With her hometown club Tigres, the club's record goalscorer (136 goals) has won six titles since 2017. Ovalle has scored 20 goals in 58 international matches for Mexico.

"A historic transfer"

"This is a historic transfer not only for our club, but also for Mexican and global football," said a statement from the transferring club. Ovalle – nicknamed "La Maga" (the magician) – declared that she also wants to win titles in Orlando.

The most expensive German player to date is national player Lena Oberdorf, who moved from VfL Wolfsburg to FC Bayern last year for over 400,000 euros.

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