Jeff Carlisle, U.S. soccer correspondentJan 14, 2025, 01:20 PM ET
- Jeff Carlisle covers MLS and the U.S. national team for ESPN FC.
United States women's national team forward Jaedyn Shaw on Tuesday joined the North Carolina Courage from the San Diego Wave, the club announced on Tuesday.
The Equalizer was the first to report news of the deal. Shaw is under contract through the 2026 NWSL season.
As part of the deal, the Courage sent $300,000 in allocation money, an international spot for the 2025 and 2026 NWSL seasons, and $150,000 in intraleague transfer fees to San Diego, the club confirmed.
The Courage could send up to an additional $75,000 in 2025 allocation money to the Wave in exchange for up to $150,000 in intraleague transfer fees.
"I am so grateful to be here and to call North Carolina home. I'm excited to experience a new style of play and to learn and grow alongside amazing players and coaches. I can't wait to get to work and help bring another championship to Courage Country," Shaw said in a statement.
The deal comes as a blow to San Diego head coach Jonas Eidevall, who was named to his post earlier this week. But Shaw, 20, had long been seeking a trade, with one source telling ESPN that the request dated back to a year ago.
The move should do plenty to bolster a North Carolina attack in need of more production compared to the top teams in the league, having tallied 34 times in 26 matches. With Brazilian attacker Kerolin returning from injury, and with Shaw's arrival, North Carolina figures to have a much more potent offense in 2025.
Shaw joined the Wave back in 2022 and went on to score 14 goals in 61 league and cup appearances. She was part of San Diego teams that claimed the NWSL Shield in 2023 and the NWSL Challenge Cup in 2024. Shaw was also named to the NWSL Best XI in 2023.
The Frisco, Tex. native has made considerable inroads at the international level as well, having scored eight goals in 21 matches following her debut in October of 2023. Shaw was part of the squad that claimed the gold medal at the 2024 Olympic games. She was named U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year in 2022.
