Utah Royals FC bring former BYU, Davis High star Mikayla Cluff home via trade

The former BYU and Davis High star is the first player signed to the relaunched Royals in the National Women's Soccer League.

Mikayla (Colohan) Cluff is coming home.

The former BYU and Davis High star midfielder was announced Wednesday as the first signing by the newly relaunched Utah Royals FC ahead of the 2024 NWSL season.

Cluff, 24, returns to her home state from the Orlando Pride along with the No. 26 overall selection in the 2024 NWSL entry draft in exchange for $90,000 in allocation money, as well as expansion protection for the Pride in the upcoming NWSL expansion draft.

"While I've enjoyed my time in Orlando over the last two seasons, I'm extremely excited to return to play in my hometown and bring back this club for the state and for the fans," Cluff said in a statement from the club. "I'm very thankful for my time with the Pride, and I wish them luck, but now I'm focused on working with the legend Amy Rodriguez to bring a championship to Utah."

Cluff, who is married to former BYU baseball standout Jackson Cluff, set a Utah High School Activities Association state record for assists while leading Davis High to three-straight state championships and a national championship by MaxPreps.

The attacking midfielder then went on to BYU, where she led the Cougars to a program-first national championship match in 2021 and finished her career as the second-highest goal scorer in Cougar history with 53 goals.

The No. 14 overall selection in the 2021 NWSL draft has four goals and an assist in 51 appearances with Orlando.

"We're so excited to welcome Mikayla back to Utah," Royals coach Amy Rodriguez said. "She offers versatility in the midfield, which is so valuable in an expansion year. When evaluating players, we also put a big emphasis on their character and Mikayla is a great first step in building the culture we want in our locker room. We know how much she is loved in this state, and we can't wait for our fans to cheer her on in Utah again."

The NWSL trade window closes Sunday, and will open to free agency beginning Monday. The league will also host an expansion draft for the Royals and San Francisco-based Bay FC on Friday, Dec. 15. The Royals will pick second to Bay FC in the expansion draft.

Now they’ll have at least one key piece around which to build their roster.

"Bringing Kayla home is a key first step as we build out the 2024 roster," sporting director Kelly Cousins said. "Obviously, her pedigree as a player in this league is only augmented by her Utah roots and BYU success. We are elated to welcome her home and we look forward to several more player announcements in the coming days and weeks."