San Diego Wave make history with $8M signing

USWNT forward joins San Diego on transfer from Chelsea before NWSL deadline

Mar. 16, 2026 at 10:52pm

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The San Diego Wave have finalized what is believed to be the most valuable total contract in women's soccer history, signing United States forward Catarina Macario to a deal worth roughly $8 million through the 2030 NWSL season. The Wave completed a transfer with Chelsea for approximately $300,000 to bring Macario to the club immediately.

Why it matters

This record-breaking contract for Macario highlights the growing investment and professionalization of women's soccer, as the NWSL continues to attract top global talent. It also demonstrates San Diego's commitment to building a championship-caliber team and leveraging the league's new 'high impact player' rule to structure Macario's compensation.

The details

Macario's contract with the Wave is structured to take advantage of the NWSL's new 'high impact player' rule, which allows teams to pay certain star players from a fund of up to $1 million outside the league's salary cap. The NWSL Players Association has challenged this rule. San Diego had also explored signing Macario once her Chelsea contract expired later this year, but moved forward with the transfer now as her deal was nearing its end.

  • The NWSL transfer deadline closes at midnight Monday, March 16, 2026.
  • Macario has not recently appeared for Chelsea in part due to injuries.

The players

Catarina Macario

A United States forward who has signed a record-breaking $8 million contract with the San Diego Wave through the 2030 NWSL season.

San Diego Wave

The NWSL expansion team that has completed the most valuable total contract in women's soccer history by signing Catarina Macario.

Chelsea

The English club that has transferred Catarina Macario to the San Diego Wave for approximately $300,000.

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What they’re saying

“The San Diego Wave have finalized what is believed to be the most valuable total contract in women's soccer history, signing United States forward Catarina Macario ahead of the closing of the NWSL's transfer window.”

— Erin Achenbach, Author (clutchpoints.com)

What’s next

Macario is expected to play a significant role for the U.S. women's national team as they prepare to pursue a fifth Women's World Cup title in Brazil next year.

The takeaway

This record-breaking contract for Macario underscores the rapid growth and increasing professionalization of women's soccer, as the NWSL continues to attract top global talent and teams like the San Diego Wave demonstrate a commitment to building championship-caliber rosters.