Bay FC Agrees to $200,000 Deal for USWNT Fullback Jenna Nighswonger

Bay FC has secured a deal worth approximately $200,000 to sign United States international Jenna Nighswonger from Arsenal.

Bay FC has agreed to a deal to sign United States fullback Jenna Nighswonger from Arsenal in a transaction valued at approximately $200,000. The move marks a return to the National Women's Soccer League for the 2024 Olympic gold medalist, who has earned 20 caps and scored two goals for the USWNT. Nighswonger arrives at a Bay FC side currently holding a 5-3-9 (W-D-L) record with 18 points, placing them 14th out of 16 teams in the league standings. The club has struggled offensively, recording the second-fewest goals in the NWSL with 18 scores through 17 matches.

Career Path and European Stint

Nighswonger’s transition to Bay FC follows a period in England where she struggled to secure consistent playing time. After joining Arsenal from Gotham FC in January 2025 for a fee of about $100,000, she appeared in only five league matches for the Gunners. Although she was a member of the Arsenal squad that secured the 2025 UEFA Women's Champions League title via a 1-0 victory over Barcelona in the final, she did not make an appearance during the competition.

In January 2026, Nighswonger moved to Aston Villa on a half-season loan. During her tenure with the Women's Super League club, she participated in eight league fixtures. While Aston Villa held an option to convert the loan into a permanent transfer, the club ultimately declined to exercise that clause. Her most recent appearance for the United States national team occurred in February 2025, following a heavy workload during the 2024 Olympic Games where she played in five of six matches as a substitute.

NWSL History and Accolades

Before her move to Europe, Nighswonger established herself as a top-tier talent at Gotham FC. Selected as the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft, she played 20 regular-season matches and started all three playoff games during Gotham’s run to their first NWSL Championship in 2023. These performances earned her the NWSL Rookie of the Year award. Initially a forward at Florida State University—where she won a 2021 national championship and was a 2022 Hermann Trophy finalist—she was converted to a fullback by Gotham and has since primarily occupied wing-back or full-back roles for both club and country.

Bay FC Roster Reconstruction

Head coach Emma Coates continues to overhaul the Bay FC roster during her first year at the helm. Nighswonger joins a group of recent acquisitions that includes United States midfielder Claire Hutton, who arrived in the offseason, and attacking midfielder Kennedy Fuller, who was recently acquired from Angel City FC. The club also bolstered its frontline with the signing of Argentine forward Agostina Holzheier. Nighswonger is expected to compete for a starting role in a defensive unit that has maintained a statistical record equal to or better than several teams positioned higher in the NWSL table. Her international career began in December 2023 after impressing interim coach Twila Kilgore and current head coach Emma Hayes during her debut fall call-up.