Olivia Moultrie, 15, has signed a three-year deal with the Portland Thorns of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), the club announced on Wednesday, June 30.
With the deal complete, Moultrie now becomes the youngest player ever to sign with an NWSL side.
Moultrie made headlines in May when she filed an antitrust lawsuit challenging the NWSL and its rule of prohibiting players under 18. The lawsuit had argued that the league’s age rule violated the Sherman Antitrust Act and also hindered Moultrie’s career development and chances of reaching the US national team.
The NWSL stated that the age issue should be part of the ongoing collective bargaining agreement (CBA) talks with the NWSL Players Association. US District Judge Karin J. Immergut granted a preliminary injunction earlier this month, which prohibited the NWSL from enforcing the age rule and cleared a path for Moultrie to sign with a team.
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