Spanish forward Esther González has signed with Al Qadsiah of the Saudi Women's Premier League less than a month after she abruptly left defending NWSL champions Gotham FC "to attend to personal matters in Spain."
González was a 2025 NWSL MVP finalist and Gotham FC's leading scorer when she left by mutual contract termination in July.
Both Gotham and González thanked each other extensively in the announcement of the forward's departure. González helped Gotham win 2023 and 2025 NWSL Championship titles.
"Gotham FC will always hold a very special place in my heart," González said in a statement in July.
"We wish Esther and her family all the best as they return home to Spain," Gotham president of soccer operations Yael Averbuch West said in a statement last month.
González and her partner welcomed a baby to the world in January.
González was signed through the 2027 NWSL season at the time of her mutual contract termination with Gotham FC.
Al Qadsiah is coached by former Orlando Pride assistant coach Giles Barnes, who made the move to Saudi Arabia earlier this summer.
Al Qadsiah finished fourth last season under the direction of Canadian Carmelina Moscato as head coach.
The 33-year-old González won the 2023 World Cup with Spain shortly before joining Gotham FC.
Later that year, she helped Gotham win its first NWSL Championship and scored the winning goal in the final. She helped Gotham win another championship last year, scoring 13 goals in the regular season.
González also helped Gotham win the inaugural Concacaf W Championship in 2025, qualifying the team for the inaugural FIFA Women's Club World Cup in 2028.
