Spirit sign 15-year-old Ricketts, youngest-ever contracted in NWSL

Washington Spirit have signed 15-year-old Chloe Ricketts on a three-year deal, making the midfielder the youngest-ever player to have a National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) contract.

She may not be old enough to have her driver's license but the Michigan native joins the 2021 champions after impressing at a January preseason training camp, during which she travelled with the team to Florida and Leesburg, Virginia.

"Chloe has shown great quality with and without the ball and has an incredible intensity in everything she does," head coach Mark Parsons said in a statement.

"The vision and infrastructure of our club make this signing possible, and we are look forward to Chloe developing and becoming an important player and teammate for our team."

Ricketts will continue her education virtually, as the Spirit look to bounce back from a disappointing 2022 that saw them finish 11th in the top-flight U.S. women's league.

"The opportunity to join the Washington Spirit on a professional contract is a dream come true," said Ricketts.