
The Orlando Pride has transferred Brazilian forward Adriana to Al Qadsiah FC of Saudi Arabia’s Women’s Premier League, the reigning NWSL champions announced. Multiple sources confirmed to The Equalizer that the Pride received a $500,000 transfer fee in return.
Orlando did not confirm the fee in its announcement but said it “will be in the top three highest in NWSL history.” U.S. defender Naomi Girma was just sold from San Diego Wave FC to English champions Chelsea for $1.1 million, and Brazilian defender Tarciane is reportedly being sold to French champions Lyon for $830,000.
Adriana requested the transfer to the fledgling league in Saudi Arabia.
“I want to thank the Orlando Pride, my teammates, and especially our amazing fans for making Orlando feel like home,” she said in a statement. “This club gave me an incredible opportunity to grow as a player and person, and I will always be grateful for my time here.
“The Pride organization has been very supportive of my desire to take on this new challenge overseas. They worked hard to make this move possible while ensuring it benefited everyone involved. Orlando will always hold a special place in my heart, and I look forward to watching the club continue to grow and succeed.”
Adriana is in the prime of her career at 28 years old. She joined Orlando in 2023 and helped the Pride win the NWSL Shield and NWSL Championship in 2024, playing in 26 games and registering six goals and an assist. She was part of the Brazil squad that earned an Olympic silver medal last year.
All of which makes her transfer to Saudi Arabia more surprising.
The Saudi Women’s Premier League is a relatively anonymous circuit in its third season, in a country without soccer pedigree and with plenty of scrutiny for its human rights offenses. There are several other Brazilians already playing in the league, including some with senior international experience.
Al Qadsiah FC features several recognizable names, including Icelandic midfielder Sara Björk Gunnarsdóttir, who won a pair of European titles with Lyon, and Cameroon forward Ajara Nchout. American Lindsey Harris is the team’s goalkeeper.
The $500,000 transfer fee acquired by the Pride allows the defending NWSL champions to do significant business this year, just days after the league’s primary transfer window opened.
The NWSL has a net transfer fee threshold of $550,000 in 2025 – up 10% as part of an annual escalator, as previously reported by The Equalizer. Any spending over that would cause a team to incur a 25% tax that hits its salary cap tax, but incoming transfers offset spending.
“We are incredibly grateful for Adriana’s contributions to the club and while we will miss her presence both on and off the pitch, we are happy to support her in this next chapter of her career,” Orlando Pride VP of soccer operations and sporting director Haley Carter said in a statement.
“At the Pride, we believe in empowering our players to pursue opportunities that align with their personal and professional goals. The record transfer fee we received reflects both Adriana’s exceptional talent and our commitment to building mutually beneficial relationships in the global transfer market. These resources will help us continue to attract world-class talent to Orlando as we build for the future. We wish Adriana all the best and she will always be part of the Pride family.”
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