Deborah Abiodun pens three-year deal with Washington Spirit

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

The Washington Spirit has made the first additions to its 2025 rookie class, signing Nigeria midfielder Deborah Abiodun.

This signing comes in the wake of 2024’s historic group of first-year players highlighted by National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Midfielder and Rookie of the Year Croix Bethune.

Abiodun arrives in the District of Columbia (DC) after two seasons at the University of Pittsburgh, where she was a standout player for the Panthers.

In 34 appearances, the midfielder tallied ten goals and three assists while being named to the All-ACC teams in both seasons.

In 2023, Abiodun was named to the all-conference Freshman and Third teams while she earned Second Team All-ACC honors in 2024.

Before joining the Pitts, Abiodun played for Rivers Angels in the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership.

At the international level, Abiodun has extensive experience with the Nigerian senior team.

She was named to Nigeria’s senior women’s national team’s World Cup roster in 2023 and Olympics roster in 2024.

Abiodun inked a three-year contract with a 2028 option and will occupy an international slot on the Spirit roster.

She is joining a growing number of Nigerian players in the United States of America (USA) women’s top flight including Asisat Oshoala (Bay FC), Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville), and Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash).

Abiodun will be under the tutelage of Jonatan Giraldez who coaches Oshoala at Spanish and European champions, FC Barcelona.

Giraldez, in his first season (2024), led Washington Spirit to the final of the NWSL Playoffs, where the team lost 1-0 to Orlando Pride thanks to Barbra Banda’s goal.