Gift Monday nears Washington Spirit move

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria forward Gift Monday is set to leave Spanish Liga F women’s side, Costa Adeje Tenerife, ahead of the end of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) transfer deadline.

Tenerife’s top scorer is leaving the Tenerife club. This was confirmed by Radio MARCA, following the offer submitted by the Washington Spirit, a club that plays in the United States of America (USA) top flight.

Contacts began almost a month ago when the North Americans made clear their intention to pay the African player’s release clause, which is around €200,000.

However, the Tenerife team managed to delay the transaction for a few weeks and negotiate an upward transfer price.

Coming right in the final stretch of the season in Spain, the transfer ultimately netted the southern team around €300,000. This will allow the club to enter the next summer transfer window with the possibility of attracting a sought-after player who could elevate the island’s team’s performance.

The 23-year-old Super Falcons player was left out of Tenerife’s squad that played out a 0-9 draw with Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday which signified her move to the NWSL.

She has scored 10 goals with three assists for the team after 19 league games.

Highlight of her career in Spain include winning the player of the month, an award shared with compatriots, Rasheedat Ajibade and Edna Imade.

The player joined the Spanish outfit from Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership side, FC Robo Queens, and spent three seasons with Tenerife.