The Kansas City Current have acquired former NWSL Rookie of the Year Croix Bethune from the Washington Spirit for $1 million.
The deal, announced Wednesday, includes $100,000 in allocation money and $900,000 in intraleague transfer funds. The 24-year-old midfielder’s contract with Current runs through the 2027 NWSL season.
Bethune also played for the U.S. national team, appearing in seven games. was nominated as a replacement for 2024 Olympic team wins gold medalshe was promoted to the active roster due to Jadyn Shaw’s injury.
Bethune scored her first national team goal in a game last month. Won against Chile 5-0.
“Croix is an exceptional playmaker with endless potential,” current general manager Ryan Dell said in a statement. “Her great creativity and passing ability, combined with her tactical versatility, as well as her resilience and passion, make her a perfect fit for our club on and off the pitch.”
Current topped the NWSL last year with a 21-3-2 record and won the league’s Shield, but were eliminated in the playoffs by eventual champion Gotham FC in the quarterfinals.
Bethune was the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft. She had five goals and 10 assists for the Spirit that season before suffering a knee injury, winning both Rookie of the Year and Midfielder of the Year honors.
She requested a trade in the offseason after the Spirit lost to Gotham FC in the NWSL Championship Game.
“We evaluate every situation on its individual merits, and in this case, aligning the player’s goals with the organization’s values made sense for all parties,” said Spirit Director of Soccer Operations Haley Carter.
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