Costa Adeje Tenerife confirms departure of Gift Monday to NWSL

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Spanish Liga F women’s side, Costa Adeje Tenerife has confirmed the departure of Nigeria forward, Gift Monday.

Spanish outlets had reported her departure last weekend ahead of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) deadline day in the United States of America (USA) on Monday.

She is leaving Spain after reaching an agreement for her transfer before the end of the 2024/25 season.

After three seasons as a Warrior, the Nigerian leaves the club with impressive numbers that have made her the top scorer for the Blue and Whites so far this season.

Gift Nyakno Monday leaves UD Tenerife after almost three seasons as a Warrior. The forward, born in Akwa Ibom state (Nigeria), has become one of the team’s attacking key players and one of the most beloved players by the Tenerife fans.

Now, she leaves the Blue and Whites as the top scorer for the 2024/25 season, having scored ten goals in the regular season, to head to the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), the top division of professional women’s soccer in the United States.

The Nigerian player, who arrived on the island in 2022, has scored a total of 22 goals in more than 70 matches for Costa Adeje Tenerife Egatesa.

She joined from Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership side, FC Robo Queens.

This season is particularly noteworthy, with 12 goals and three assists in 19 Liga F matches and two more Copa de la Reina matches, having been named the best player in the league in February.

UD Tenerife president Sergio Batista emphasized that the player, since arriving on the island, “has become one of the family, always willing to help and give her all in a sporting capacity. She is a player who has earned the affection of everyone, both personally and professionally. We only have good wishes for her and words of gratitude for her commitment to the club. The doors of our club remain open to her.”

Monday is expected to be unveiled by NWSL outfit, Washington Spirit this week.

She is joining a growing list of Nigerian players in the NWSL like Asisat Oshoala, Michelle Alozie, Uchenna Kanu, Emmanuel Favour, and Chiamaka Okwuchukwu.