Report: Denver Summit FC adding Ayo Oke for NWSL record fee

Field Level Media|published: Mon 29th December, 20:47 2025

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Mar 12, 2023; Portland, Oregon, USA; Under-23 Women's National Team defender Ayo Oke (10) runs during a match at Providence Park. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-Imagn Images

Ayo Oke, a defender for Mexico's Pachuca, is joining Denver Summit FC for what would be an NWSL record transfer fee for an American player, according to an ESPN report Monday.

Denver, a 2026 expansion squad, will pay Liga MX Femenil's Pachuca nearly $450,000 for Oke, per the report. By comparison, international players have commanded larger sums -- including a world record $1.5 million doled out by the Orlando Pride for Jacqui Ovalle. Intra-NWSL fees have also exceeded that total, such as when Jaedyn Shaw left the North Carolina Courage for Gotham FC for $1.25 million in September.

But this would mark the largest amount for an American from outside of the league.

Oke, who was born in Lawrenceville, Ga. and played for Cal and UCLA in college, was a member of Pachuca this past season, her first professional contract. The 22-year-old has also been a member of the United States' under-17, 18, 20 and 23 teams.

Denver's roster still has a ways to go before completion. Current members of the team include Kaleigh Kurtz, Carson Pickett and Ally Watt, alongside Oke.

--Field Level Media