Jaedyn Shaw is officially a North Carolina Courage player. The San Diego Wave midfielder requested a trade last year before the club’s coaching change, according to a source briefed on the deal, and specifically asked for a move to the Courage. The Wave hired former Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall earlier this month.

The Wave picked up $300,000 in allocation money and an additional $150,000 in intra-league transfer funds, plus an international slot for 2025 and 2026. Additionally, if the Wave send back some or all of those intra-league transfer funds, they could get an additional $75,000 in allocation money this year — but the Wave’s press release issued Tuesday notes that it is “subject to a conditional agreement” with North Carolina.

“It’s been an absolute honor to start my professional career in this city and represent this club,” Shaw said in the Wave’s release. “The opportunity to pursue a new chapter is bittersweet, but I am excited about what lies ahead.” She also thanked the club’s new ownership, the Levine Leichtman family, as well as general manager Cami Ashton for getting her trade to the Courage done.

“Jaedyn’s impact on and off the field has been a significant part of our club’s growth,“ Ashton said. “Early last season, Jaedyn expressed her desire to take on a new challenge and explore other options outside the Wave. While it’s always hard to see a player of her talent move on, we respect and understand her decision to seek a new chapter in her career and we’re happy we were able to help facilitate the move she wanted. We wish her nothing but success in the future.”

Sean Nahas, the Courage’s head coach, added in his team’s release: “Bringing Jaedyn here is a great day for our club. She is someone who has every tool at such a young age and will be a key part of our club. Her quality on the ball, both in possession and on the dribble, along with her levels in and around the box, can unlock opposition.”

Analysing Shaw’s move

Whether the deal ends at $375,000 or $450,000 total, North Carolina wins the deal as they acquire the 20-year-old U.S. women’s national team midfielder, who has the versatility to play on the wing, as a false 9, or on the top line. While she was injured through the majority of the 2024 Olympics, Shaw should be a key long-term piece for the U.S. over the next two or three cycles. She also has plenty of NWSL experience, having signed with the Wave at 17 and ending her time with the club sitting on 61 appearances, 14 goals and four assists.

For the Courage, Shaw’s addition could unlock more consistent goalscoring. While Nahas might have to do a little fine-tuning on how Shaw and central attacking midfielder Ashley Sanchez operate in the team’s system, it’s a promising partnership. One final big question remains for the Courage, and that’s if they will re-sign previous NWSL MVP and free agent Kerolin to a new deal for 2025, but if they do, it’s a stacked trio at the heart of the team’s attack.

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

US Women's national team, North Carolina Courage, San Diego Wave, NWSL

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