Clara Luvanga becomes first Tanzanian to join NWSL with Washington Spirit

Tanzanian forward Clara Luvanga has joined National Women’s Soccer League side Washington Spirit on a four-year contract running through the 2029 season.

The 21-year-old striker becomes the first player from Tanzania to play in the NWSL after completing her move from Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr.

Washington Spirit will pay an undisclosed transfer fee for Luvanga, who arrives in the United States after three successful seasons in the Saudi Women’s Premier League.

Luvanga enjoyed a trophy-laden spell with Al-Nassr after joining the club in 2023. She helped the Saudi side win three consecutive league titles, as well as the Saudi Women’s Cup, Saudi Women’s Super Cup and the 2026 WAFF Women’s Clubs Championship.

She was also the Saudi Women’s Premier League’s leading scorer last season, finishing the campaign with 24 goals.

Luvanga further underlined her goalscoring credentials by scoring a hat-trick in this year’s Saudi Women’s Super Cup final.

“I am very excited to join the Washington Spirit and to take on this new challenge in the NWSL,” Luvanga said.

“I know I am arriving with the season already underway, but I’m really excited to play in a new league and a new country.

“The team is in a strong position and I want to help in whatever way I can between now and the playoffs. Go Spirit!”

Washington Spirit sporting director James Hocken believes Luvanga can provide an additional attacking threat as the club targets a strong finish to the season.

“Clara adds an exciting new dimension to our attack as we head toward the playoffs,” Hocken said.

“Despite her young age, she has demonstrated the ability to score goals in different ways and has the profile to be very successful in this league.”

Luvanga began her career in Tanzania with Yanga Princess before moving to Spain, where she played for DUX Logroño.

She joined Al-Nassr in 2023 and quickly established herself as one of the most prolific forwards in Saudi women’s football.

At international level, Luvanga made her debut for Tanzania’s senior women’s team in 2024 and has since become an important figure for the east African nation.

Her move to Washington represents another significant step in a career that has already taken her from Tanzania to Europe, the Middle East and now the United States.

The forward could make her Washington Spirit debut on Sunday, 13 September, when the club host expansion side Boston Legacy FC at Audi Field.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 13:00 local time, with Luvanga expected to be involved as the Spirit continue their push towards the NWSL playoffs.