Bay FC acquire D Jenna Nighswonger from Arsenal

Field Level Media|published: Mon 10th August, 13:17 2026

Nov 20, 2023; Harrison, NJ, USA; NJ/NY Gotham FC midfielder Jenna nighswonger (32) is recognized during NJ/NY Gotham FC Trophy Homecoming Celebration the at Red Bull Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Bay FC acquired defender Jenna Nighswonger from English side Arsenal for an undisclosed transfer fee Monday.

Nighswonger was an NWSL champion and Rookie of the Year with Gotham FC in 2023 and won Olympic gold with the U.S. women's national team in Paris in 2024.

"Jenna is another great addition to our squad, showing real quality both sides of the ball," Bay FC coach Emma Coates said. "Her experience in the NWSL & WSL will add another dimension to our group. I believe she has the character and football intelligence to make a strong impact here and I'm excited to work with her day to day supporting this next chapter in her career."

Nighswonger, 25, returns to the NWSL and is signed through 2028 after two seasons in the Women's Super League in England.

"I'm really excited to return to the NWSL and begin this next chapter with Bay FC," she said. "I have a lot of confidence in what this group can accomplish moving forward, and I'm ready to get to work and help the team compete."

Drafted No. 4 overall in 2023, Nighswonger had four goals and three assists in 46 games with Gotham from 2023-24. She has two goals in 20 caps with the USWNT.

--Field Level Media

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