The NWSL's sizeable African contingent expanded again on Wednesday, with the Washington Spirit signing Tanzania forward Clara Luvanga, and Denver Summit adding Cameroon attacker Naomi Eto on the same day.
Luvanga's arrival from Saudi Arabian champions Al-Nassr takes the Spirit's contingent of African internationals under contract to seven, the largest of any club in the NWSL.
The 21-year-old signed a four-year contract through the 2029 season, with Washington paying an undisclosed transfer fee to Al-Nassr. She becomes the first Tanzanian player in NWSL history and gives the Spirit more firepower upfront as they head toward the playoffs and attempt to reach their third consecutive NWSL championship game.
"Clara adds an exciting new dimension to our attack as we head toward the playoffs," Spirit sporting director James 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 arrives with considerable scoring pedigree. She scored 24 league goals last season to win the Saudi Women's Premier League Golden Boot and also scored a hat trick in the Saudi Women's Super Cup final.
In her three seasons at Al Nassr, the Tanzanian won the Saudi Women's Premier League in all three, in addition to the Saudi Women's Cup, Saudi Women's Super Cup and 2026 WAFF Women's Clubs Championship.
The forward said she was looking forward to joining Washington and taking on the NWSL despite her late arrival.
"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!"
Denver announced the signing of Eto from Paris Saint-Germain hours later, adding another member of the Cameroon team that won this summer's Women's Africa Cup of Nations.
Eto, also 21, signed through the 2027 season with a club option for 2028 and will join the Summit pending receipt of her P-1 visa.
The two arrivals continue an increase in African representation across the NWSL, particularly since WAFCON, where 11 players from the league represented African countries.
Watch the NWSL on ESPN's channels in Africa, and on Disney+ in South Africa.
