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2w ago

Kansas City Lands Croix Bethune for $1 Million as Bay FC Buys Claire Hutton for $1.1 Million in Linked NWSL Deals

Seven-figure fees underscore rising NWSL valuations driven by player agency.

Claire Hutton #14 of Kansas City Current controls the ball during the NWSL match between Houston Dash and Kansas City Current at Shell Energy Stadium on October 18, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Omar Vega/NWSL via Getty Images)
Image
Jul 2, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; USA midfielder Claire Hutton (15) celebrates after scoring her first international goal against Canada during the first half at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
Jan 27, 2026; Santa Barbara, California, USA; United States midfielder Croix Bethune (11) at Harder Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Will Navarro-Imagn Images

Overview

  • KC Current announced the signing of USWNT midfielder Croix Bethune from the Washington Spirit on a deal paying the Spirit $1.0 million, comprising $900,000 in intra-league transfer funds and $100,000 in allocation money, with Bethune under contract through 2027.
  • Bay FC confirmed the acquisition of USWNT midfielder Claire Hutton from the Current for $1.1 million in intra-league transfer funds, one of the largest fees in league history.
  • The moves functioned as connected transactions, with Bay sending $1.1 million to Kansas City, which in turn sent $1.0 million to Washington.
  • The Spirit said Bethune requested a move to pursue development in a different environment, and the club structured the agreement to honor that request.
  • Both transfers rank as the second- and third-largest intra-league fees in NWSL history, trailing only last year’s $1.25 million deal for Jaedyn Shaw, as Bay rebuilds under new coach Emma Coates and Kansas City reshapes its midfield after moving Hutton.