USWNT’s Bethune signs with Current, Hutton to join Bay FC
United States midfielder Croix Bethune has signed with the Kansas City Current, while USWNT midfielder Claire Hutton has transferred to Bay FC, in two separate transactions valued at seven figures, as confirmed by multiple sources to ESPN.
Kansas City will compensate the Washington Spirit with a total of $1 million for Bethune’s transfer, whereas Bay FC will pay the Current a total of $1.1 million in a different deal.
Both athletes are emerging talents within the USWNT and had previously been affiliated with only one NWSL team.
Bethune sought a trade earlier this offseason, as multiple sources have verified to ESPN. According to the league’s collective bargaining agreement, player consent is required for all trades.
These transfers rank as the second and third highest in league history for intra-league transactions, following the record established last year when Gotham FC acquired U.S. playmaker Jaedyn Shaw from the North Carolina Courage for $1.25 million.
Kansas City will provide the Spirit with $900,000 in intra-league transfer funds and an additional $100,000 in allocation money, totaling $1 million for Bethune, as confirmed by multiple sources.
Bethune was selected third overall by the Spirit in the 2024 NWSL Draft. During that season, she equaled the NWSL record for assists in a season (10) before suffering a season-ending injury in late August. Despite missing the final two months, Bethune earned accolades as Rookie of the Year, Midfielder of the Year, and was included in the league’s first XI.
She also had a breakout year with the USWNT. Bethune was named an alternate for the 2024 Olympic team and joined the Olympic gameday roster due to an injury to Shaw. She made her Olympic debut during the group stage as part of the USWNT’s pursuit of a fifth Olympic gold medal.
She has earned seven caps for the USWNT and scored her first international goal in her latest appearance, starting in a 5-0 victory over Chile.
Bethune is an attacking midfielder who generally plays as a No. 10. She contributed to the Spirit’s consecutive NWSL Championship appearances last year.
Hutton is a defensive midfielder who made a significant impact in the league as a teenager.
She joined Kansas City as an 18-year-old prior to the 2024 season and started 19 matches for the Current.
Last year, she started in 22 games, aiding Kansas City in winning the NWSL Shield in a historic manner. Hutton was also selected for the league’s first XI.
Her impressive performances led to regular call-ups to the USWNT this year. She has 13 caps and one international goal.
Hutton captained part of the USWNT during their 6-0 victory over Paraguay last month, marking her first experience wearing the armband.
