'Taken a toll' - Maria Sanchez releases emotional statement and confirms she's requested Houston Dash trade mere months after signing record NWSL contract

Sanchez signed for Houston Dash just four months ago, penning a deal worth a then-NWSL record $1.5 million (£1.2m). However, it hasn't all gone according to plan, with reports circulating earlier this week that the Mexico forward had requested a transfer elsewhere. Now, she's confirmed the news via X, thanking fans for the support she's received in the last few days.

"Thank you, everyone, for the outpouring of kindness and support," Sanchez posted on X, attaching a screenshot of a longer message. It read: "This has all taken a toll and it isn't an easy thing to talk about, but I want to confirm that I've requested an immediate trade. The club has been aware of this since late March and my expectations and reasons have been clear. I trust that my current club's management will honor my decision in a timely manner and proceed with accepting a trade."

It's still a little unclear exactly what has happened behind the scenes at Houston Dash. The latest we've heard from the club itself was a simple statement that read "Maria Sanchez is under contract, a choice she made in free agency at the end of 2023."

The 28-year-old's statement seems to suggest she's confident that a trade can be agreed upon. It's worth noting though that Sanchez's contract is signed with the NWSL, not the Dash, so it would remain in place if she joined a new team and any interested parties would have to be able to pay that current deal.