Denver Summit FC will not make its NWSL debut until next season, but the new franchise has its first player after acquiring forward Ally Watt from the Orlando Pride, ESPN reported Monday.

Watt will not depart Orlando immediately since her new club loaned her back to the Pride after the transaction became official.

Orlando received $75,000 in expansion allocation money, $37,500 in transfer funds and salary cap relief in return, according to the report.

Watt, 28, has one goal and one assist this season in 13 games. She did not play in Sunday’s 1-1 tie against the Utah Royals because of an ankle injury. She has played for the NWSL’s Orlando franchise since 2022 and played in three games with Australia’s Melbourne City in 2020.

Watt was drafted sixth overall by the North Carolina Courage in 2020 but never played in an NWSL regular-season game with the club after a knee injury during a Challenge Cup match.

–Field Level Media