Utah Royals send U.S. international Ally Sentnor to Kansas City for NWSL-record fee
Sentnor was traded to the Kansas City Current for a league-record $600,000 in intraleague transfer fees, as well as a conditional $100,000 spread out over the next three years.
Utah Royals FC completed a blockbuster deal on the eve of the NWSL’s return to play from a month-long hiatus.
U.S. international Ally Sentnor, inarguably the Royals’ star player and former No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft, was traded to the Kansas City Current for a league-record $600,000 in intraleague transfer funds, as well as a conditional $100,000 and a sell-on clause of any future transfer, the team announced Friday afternoon.
The transfer fee will be spread out over the next three seasons. Terms of the transaction include a $300,000 infusion in 2025, followed by $200,000 in 2026 and $100,000 in 2027, according to the league.
Sentnor started all 34 of the matches in which she appeared during her time with the club, logging 2,990 minutes in the past two-plus seasons with four goals and five assists.
She scored her first goal in her second pro start, a 30th-minute blast against the North Carolina Courage back on March 22, 2024 for the UNC product.
"The Club could not be more appreciative of everything that Ally brought to Utah, and she will always represent the heart of what it means to be a Royals player,” said Utah Royals FC sporting director Kelly Cousins, whose club is dead last in the 14-team NWSL with a 1-5-1 record and a league-worst -18 goal differential. “Her infectious personality and incredible talent won over the locker room even faster than it did the Royals' fanbase.
“After drafting her at the No. 1, she burst onto the scene and enjoyed a meteoric rise that has been an absolute joy to watch. Now that it’s time to say goodbye, we wish her nothing but the best of luck in her career.”
Kansas City is currently first in the 14-team NWSL with an 11-2 record and 33 points in 13 matches, including a perfect 6-0-0 mark at CPKC Stadium.
The trade follows the Current placing midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo on the season-ending injury (SEI) list after the 33-year-old midfielder announced her pregnancy.
The news was first reported by The Athletic and ESPN, which put the sell-on clause to 20% of any future move.
The 2024 U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year has four goals in 12 appearances with the senior women’s national team, and would be the sixth-highest transfer fee in women’s soccer history.
“Thank you to the Royals for drafting this small town girl and giving me the opportunity to start a lifelong dream of playing professional soccer,” Sentnor wrote in a letter to fans upon her departure. “Thank you for the opportunities and experiences on and off the field.
“The Royals became an instant family and I want to thank Utah for the love and the lessons. My time in your beautiful state will be remembered fondly. This community is special, and full of kind, loving, and supportive people. I’m so grateful that I was able to be a part of it, and you will continue to inspire me.
“The friends and relationships I have built here will last a lifetime. I have so much love for you all! Even though my time at Utah has come to an end, I’ll be cheering for each of you and celebrating all of your success.
“Thank you Utah!”
The Royals return to NWSL play Sunday against the Orlando Pride.