New Headline: Wave FC Announces Shocking $10 Million Deal With FIFA's Top Brazilian Star!
Oct 29, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; USA midfielder Catarina Macario (20) runs with the ball during the first half of the match against New Zealand at CPKC Stadium. SAN DIEGO — San Diego Wave FC is reportedly making a splash just before the NWSL transfer window closes, signing forward Catarina Macario to a record-setting contract, according to Sportico. The 26-year-old striker is expected to receive the largest total-value deal in the history of women’s professional soccer.
Macario’s reported contract will keep her in San Diego through the 2030 NWSL season and is worth nearly $8 million in fully guaranteed money. A big time swing for Camille Ashton, the Wave Sporting Director and General Manager, and the club as it begins its fifth campaign. The Chelsea FC forward and United States Women's National soccer team member is expected to join the Wave immediately, barring any change.
The transfer fee to bring in Macario is reportedly around $300,000. Breaking: United States forward Catarina Macario has joined the San Diego Wave FC on what is believed to be the biggest total contract value in women's soccer history, sources confirmed to Jeff Kassouf. Macario has signed with the Wave through the 2030 NWSL season for a total… pic.
twitter. com/KtQ6tOAi8T — ESPN (@espn) March 16, 2026 Back in February, ESPN reported that San Diego had emerged as the frontrunner to acquire Macario. Despite receiving multiple offers to remain in Europe, she preferred a return to the United States.
This move brings Cat back to San Diego, where she spent five years developing her soccer skills with San Diego Surf Soccer Club (2012-2017). The Wave training facility sits adjacent to where she played youth soccer. The Brazilian attended Torrey Pines High School and went on to play at Stanford University.