Reign FC Acquire $500K in Trade with Chicago Stars FC

Seattle sends forward Jordyn Huitema to Chicago in a major intra-league deal.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 5:05pm

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Seattle Reign FC has traded 24-year-old forward Jordyn Huitema to the Chicago Stars FC in exchange for $500,000 in league funds, including $200,000 in allocation money and $300,000 in intra-league transfer fees. This significant deal highlights the growing financial landscape of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and the strategic moves teams are making to acquire top talent.

Why it matters

The inclusion of a substantial intra-league transfer fee suggests the NWSL is maturing, with teams recognizing the value of players as assets and becoming more willing to invest significant resources to acquire key pieces. This deal could be a catalyst for further player transfer activity within the league, leading to a more competitive landscape and higher-quality matches.

The details

Huitema, who has 96 caps with the Canadian Women's National Team, scored 13 goals and added 4 assists in 70 appearances for the Reign over the last four NWSL seasons. Her departure leaves a void in Seattle's attack, but the $500,000 in funds provides the Reign with financial flexibility to potentially acquire other players or strengthen other areas of their roster. The Chicago Stars FC clearly identified Huitema as a crucial piece for their future success and were prepared to pay a substantial fee to secure her services.

  • Huitema has played for the Seattle Reign FC since 2022.

The players

Jordyn Huitema

A 24-year-old forward who has played for the Seattle Reign FC since 2022 and has earned 96 caps with the Canadian Women's National Team.

Seattle Reign FC

The professional women's soccer team based in Seattle, Washington, that plays in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).

Chicago Stars FC

The professional women's soccer team based in Chicago, Illinois, that plays in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).

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What they’re saying

“We are grateful for the commitment and energy Jordyn brought to our club. This trade provides us with financial flexibility to potentially acquire other players or strengthen other areas of our roster.”

— Lesle Gallimore, General Manager, Seattle Reign FC (newsy-today.com)

What’s next

The Chicago Stars FC will look to integrate Huitema into their attack and build a strong partnership with the existing players on the team. The Reign FC will explore options to reinvest the $500,000 in funds to bolster their roster for the upcoming season.

The takeaway

This trade highlights the growing financial maturity of the NWSL, with teams increasingly willing to invest significant resources to acquire top talent through intra-league transfers. As the league continues to grow, we can expect to see more of these types of high-value deals, leading to a more competitive and higher-quality product on the field.