A new world record! Orlando Pride makes Mexico & Tigres star Lizbeth Ovalle the most expensive women's player of all-time in deal that tops moves for Naomi Girma and Olivia Smith

Transfer speculation has surrounded Ovalle for the last year, with all of Barcelona, Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Wolfsburg linked with the 25-year-old thanks to her excellent performances in Liga MX Femenil and beyond. However, after a move to Europe seemed certain, it is instead to the U.S. that she heads for the next chapter of her career, having joined Orlando in a record-breaking move that was announced on Thursday.

Ovalle signs a contract until the end of the 2027 season, with a mutual option for 2028, and departs Tigres having become the club's all-time leading goal-scorer. Known as 'La Maga', or 'the magician', she racked up 136 goals and 103 assists in 294 appearances for Las Amazonas, winning six league titles in her eight years at the club. She will be well-known to fans in the U.S. having performed well in CONCACAF competitions with Mexico, too, scoring in the win over the USWNT in the Gold Cup last year.

Speaking about the world-record transfer, Mark Wilf, the Orlando Pride's owner and chairman, said: "We are deeply committed to building championship-caliber teams year after year and this landmark signing is a reflection of that focus. [Ovalle] 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. We’re proud to lead the way in investing in the women’s game, not just for today’s success, but to shape the future of the sport for generations to come."

"This move represents our unwavering commitment to elevating women’s football and investing in world-class talent," Haley Carter, the club's sporting director and vice president of soccer operations, added. "The Wilf family's support has been transformative for this organisation. From day one, they've made it clear that their goal is to build a championship-caliber organisation and they understand that requires investment in top-tier talent. This signing signals our ambition to compete at the highest level while also advancing the women’s game on a global scale."

"I’m very happy to join Orlando Pride," Ovalle said. "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."

Orlando won its first NWSL Championship last year but, despite boasting attacking talent like Marta and Barbra Banda, it has not been as free-scoring in 2025. The addition of Ovalle can certainly help in that regard, as the Pride aims to defend its title in the post-season.

Ovalle will play in Liga MX Femenil's inaugural All-Star Game on Friday before completing her move to Orlando. The exhibition will take place at Tigres' Estadio Universitario de Nuevo Leon, as players from all 18 teams face three-time European champions Barcelona. It means Ovalle will not play in the Pride's next NWSL game, on Thursday against Angel City, with her debut potentially to come against Gotham on August 29 instead.