In a significant move, Thembi Kgatlana, a star forward in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), has embarked on a new journey to Mexico as Racing Louisville confirmed her transfer to Tigres Femenil in Liga MX. The transfer fee involved in this deal stands as one of the largest in league history, with Racing receiving an impressive $275,000 for Kgatlana’s move – the second-highest outgoing transfer fee, surpassed only by Lindsey Horan’s transition from the Portland Thorns to Olympique Lyonnais earlier this year.
However, the deal doesn’t conclude with this hefty sum. Racing is positioned to gain an additional $25,000 should Kgatlana achieve the milestone of scoring 20 or more goals during her tenure with Tigres. Moreover, the agreement includes a 5% sell-on clause, ensuring Racing’s benefit in case of any future transfer involving Kgatlana.
Reports indicate that Kgatlana is set to receive a substantial annual salary of $550,000 from Tigres, marking a significant leap in earnings compared to the structure of NWSL contracts. For context, the recent record-setting contract of Maria Sanchez in the NWSL accounts for nearly $1.5 million over four years, averaging around $375,000 per year if all options and bonuses are met. However, Kgatlana’s earnings significantly surpass these figures, raising questions about the NWSL’s salary cap limitations and their impact on the league’s ability to compete on a global scale.
While there have been discussions about the NWSL’s salary cap potentially doubling in 2024 to accommodate the escalating valuations of players, Kgatlana’s prospective earnings would still represent a considerable portion of the speculated cap increase. This has sparked debates about whether the salary cap is an asset or a restriction for the league, especially in a landscape where player valuations continue to soar.
Kgatlana’s transfer to Tigres doesn’t come as a surprise given her impressive performances over the years, notably clinching the title of Women’s Player of the Year by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in 2018. Her standout display during the World Cup further elevated her profile, with her decisive goal propelling South Africa into the knockout stages. Despite South Africa’s eventual loss to the Netherlands, Kgatlana’s standout performance earned her a nomination for CAF’s Women’s Player of the Year for 2023 and paved the way for her lucrative move to a new club.
While Racing Louisville faces the challenge of losing a key attacker following recent departures, including Paige Monaghan and others, the substantial transfer fee provides financial resources that could aid the team in acquiring reinforcements. However, replacing Kgatlana’s star quality may prove challenging.
This trade also highlights the growing relationship between Louisville and Tigres, evidenced by multiple player movements between the clubs. With players like Uchenna Kanu and Alex Chidiac making transitions, Kgatlana’s move further underscores this developing partnership, hinting at potential future trades or transfers between the clubs in the upcoming season.
Originally posted 2024-03-20 22:42:55.
