National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) side Utah Royals have announced the signing of Super Falcons striker Ifeoma Onumonu.
Utah completed the signing of Onumonu from reigning NWSL champions Gotham FC in exchange for $40,000 in allocation money.
The Nigerian who signs through the 2024/25 NWSL seasons, becomes the 15th player to come on board as Utah expands her side’s roster for the new term which kicks off on January 12.
The 29-year-old who joined Gotham in 2020 via trade with OL Reign, penned a heartfelt message to fans of her former club as she makes a switch in the United States of America.
“Although my time at Gotham has come to an end, it will always be family,” Onumonu said on Gotham’s official website.
“I will cherish every memory I’ve made in my time with the club. I’m happy and proud to join the Utah Royals and hope to take all the lessons I’ve learned at Gotham with me.
“Although my chapter with Gotham closes, I’ll always have this club in my heart,” she added.
Onumonu played three seasons at Gotham, 2020 to 2023. Over the 2021 and 2022 regular campaigns, the striker played 40 matches, starting 35 of it, scoring 10 goals and adding six assists.
In the regular season of 2023, Onumonu made 14 outings and started four, where she recorded 370 minutes and put in one assist.
Before joining Gotham, the Nigeria international also suited out for Portland Thorns (2018), and OL Reign (2019-20), after she was drafted as the eighth overall pick by the Boston Breakers in the 2017 NWSL Draft.
On the international scene, the California native earned her first national-level cap for the Super Falcons of Nigeria against Jamaica in June 2021 and since then, she has appeared 14 times for the team, scoring twice.
She represented Nigeria at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, playing four matches as the Falcons made it to the Round of 16 before losing out via penalties to eventual runner-up England.
