Chloe Ricketts

Chloe Ricketts (born May 23, 2007)[1] is an American soccer player for the Washington Spirit of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). At the time of her signing in 2023, she was the youngest player to sign with an NWSL team.

Chloe Ricketts
Ricketts in 2022
Personal information
Date of birth (2007-05-23) May 23, 2007
Place of birth Dexter, Michigan, U.S.[1]
Height 5 ft 1 in (1.55 m)
Position(s) Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Washington Spirit
Number 39

Club career

Early career

In 2017 and 2018, Ricketts won back-to-back state championships with the 2007 Michigan Hawks Black. Beginning in 2020, she played on a boy's team – the 2007 Michigan Tigers Gold – that won multiple state and regional championships, culminating with the under-15 US Youth Soccer National Championships in 2022.[2][3]

In January 2022, at age 14, Ricketts became the youngest player to join AFC Ann Arbor of the pre-professional USL W League.[4] In a game on May 7, 2022, still aged 14, she became the youngest goalscorer in USL W League history.[5]

Washington Spirit

Ricketts took part in preseason training with the Washington Spirit beginning in January 2023. On March 2, 2023, Ricketts signed a three-year deal (with an option for a fourth year) with the team at the age of 15 years and 283 days. The contract made her the youngest ever NWSL signee at the time, breaking the record set by Olivia Moultrie in 2021 (15 years and 286 days).[6] Ricketts's record was surpassed later in the month by Melanie Barcenas (15 years and 138 days).[7] Ricketts's signing was the first under the NWSL's recently introduced Under-18 Entry Mechanism, which resulted from an antitrust lawsuit by Moultrie to allow players under 18 into the NWSL.[8]

International career

Off the field

Endorsements

In March 2023, at age 15, Ricketts signed a multiyear endorsement deal with the sportswear company Adidas, becoming the youngest US female soccer player to do so.[9]

References
  1. "Chloe Ricketts". Washington Spirit. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  2. "Chloe Ricketts Past and Present Teams". chloericketts.com. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  3. "2022 National Championships: Finals Recap". United States Youth Soccer Association. July 24, 2022. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  4. Makuch, Ryan (January 11, 2022). "Chloe Ricketts Becomes Youngest Player to Join AFC Ann Arbor at 14". AFC Ann Arbor. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  5. "USL W League Fans' Choice Goal of the Week – Week 1+2". USL W League. May 18, 2022. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  6. Jackson, Wilton (March 3, 2023). "Spirit Sign Youngest Player in NWSL History, 15-Year-Old Chloe Ricketts". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  7. "Melanie Barcenas youngest player ever to sign with NWSL team". Associated Press. March 21, 2023. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  8. Greenberg, Doug (March 7, 2023). "Chloe Ricketts, 15, Becomes Youngest Signed Player in NWSL History". Front Office Sports. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  9. Johncox, Cassidy (March 29, 2023). "Dexter teen becomes youngest professional female soccer player to sign with adidas". clickondetroit.com. WDIV-TV. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
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