- - Orlando Pride acquire Lizbeth Jacqueline Ovalle, pay world-record fee

James H. Williams, USA TODAYAugust 21, 2025 at 9:01 PM

The Orlando Pride have acquired midfielder Lizbeth Jacqueline Ovalle via transfer, according to an announcement by the team.

Ovalle comes from Mexico's Tigres UANL Femenil, for a world-record fee. The 25-year-old leaves the soccer club as its all-time leading scorer after eight years. She produced 136 goals and 103 assists in 294 appearances and won six Liga MX Femenil titles.

“I’m very happy to join Orlando Pride,” Ovalle said in a statement. “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.”

Before playing in Orlando, she will play in Liga MX Femenil’s inaugural All-Star Game on Friday. The game will be played at Tigres UANL Femenil’s home venue.

According to the Pride, she will be with the team through the 2027 season, with a mutual option for the 2028 season, pending receipt of her P1 visa and International Transfer Certificate.

While the team did not disclose the amount in its announcement, the fee was expected to be $1.5 million, according to the New York Times.

“We are deeply committed to building championship-caliber teams year after year and this landmark signing is a reflection of that focus,” said Mark Wilf, the Pride’s owner and chairman, in a statement. “Jacqueline 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.”

The Pride have now completed two of the most expensive transfers in women’s soccer in back-to-back years, following the addition of Zambian forward Barbra Banda in March 2024.

The Pride paid $740,000 to acquire Banda from China's Shanghai Shengli. Orlando will be the only club in the world to feature two of the six highest-valued transfers of all time on its roster.

Ovalle has also played for the Mexican national team, scoring 20 goals in 81 games played. She helped lead her country to a gold medal at the 2023 Pan American Games.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Orlando Pride acquire midfielder Lizbeth Jacqueline Ovalle

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