Washington Spirit gamers have fun after defeating Chicago Red Stars within the NWSL Championship soccer match Nov. 20, 2021, in Louisville, Kentucky.

Jeff Dean/AP

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Jeff Dean/AP

Washington Spirit gamers have fun after defeating Chicago Red Stars within the NWSL Championship soccer match Nov. 20, 2021, in Louisville, Kentucky.

Jeff Dean/AP

The Washington Spirit has signed the youngest individual to ever play within the National Women’s Soccer League, the staff introduced Friday.

Chloe Ricketts, a 15-year-old midfielder and highschool sophomore, signed a three-year contract on Thursday, with the choice to increase it after 2026, the team said.

Ricketts first started taking part with the staff after she was invited for preseason coaching in January.

“The opportunity to join the Washington Spirit on a professional contract is a dream come true,” Ricketts mentioned. “I’m looking forward to continuing my development as a player and individual with the great resources here in the District.”

The earlier file holder for youngest individual within the league is 17-year-old Olivia Moultrie, who’s a midfielder for the Portland Thorns, signed her skilled contract in June 2021, when she was 15 years and 286 days outdated. Ricketts is 15 years and 283 days outdated, in accordance with the Spirit.

“Chloe has shown great quality with and without the ball and has an incredible intensity in everything she does,” Head Coach Mark Parsons mentioned. “The vision and infrastructure of our club make this signing possible, and we are [looking] forward to Chloe developing and becoming an important player and teammate for our team.”

Ricketts will proceed her training all through the season.

Per league guidelines for gamers underneath 18, she may have a full roster spot, reside with a authorized mum or dad or guardian till she is eighteen and can’t be traded or waived with out each her and a mum or dad’s consent.