Feb 12, 2026
3 min read
US midfielder Croix Bethune has joined the Kansas City Current and USWNT midfielder Claire Hutton has joined Bay FC in seven separate figures, multiple sources have confirmed to ESPN.
United States midfielder Croix Bethune has joined Kansas City Current, and USWNT midfielder Claire Hutton has joined Bay FC, in a pair of separate seven-figure moves, the teams announced Wednesday.
Kansas City will pay the Washington Spirit $1 million for Bethune's transfer, while Bay FC will pay the current $1.1 million in a separate transaction.
Both players are young, rising stars with the USWNT and have only previously played for one NWSL club.
Bethune was asked to be traded earlier this season, multiple sources confirmed to ESPN.The league's collective bargaining agreement requires player approval on all deals.
The North Carolina Courage paid $1.25 million for Gotham FC US playmaker Jaidyn Shaw, the second and third highest transfer fees in league history.
Kansas City will pay the Spirit $900,000 in intra-league transfer money and $100,000 in distribution money for a total of $1 million for Bethune.
"We are grateful to Croix for his contributions over the past two seasons," said President of Football Operations Haley Carter.
Bethune was drafted third overall by the Spirit in the 2024 NWSL Draft. That season, she tied the NWSL record for assists in a season (10) before sustaining a season-ending injury in late August. Despite missing the final two months of the season, Bethune was named Rookie of the Year, Midfielder of the Year and made the league's first XI.
He also had his breakout year with the USWNT.Bethune was selected as an alternate to the 2024 Olympic team and played on Olympic day due to Shaw's injury.Bethune made her Olympic debut in the group stage as part of the USWNT's journey to its fifth Olympic gold medal.
She made seven appearances for the USWNT and scored her first international goal in her most recent game, starting a 5-0 win over Chile.
Bethune is an attacking midfielder who usually plays as a number 10. He helped the Spirit to a second NWSL championship last season.
Hutton is a defensive player who won the league as a freshman.
He signed with Kansas City as an 18-year-old before the 2024 season and has started 19 games so far.
Last year, he started in 22 games to help Kansas City win the NWSL Shield in historic fashion.Hutton was also named in the league's first XI.
"Claire is an important signing for us. She is a very good and strong player on the ball and can move her body to finish the game," coach Emma Coates said."Despite his age, he brings experience and a strong mind, and we believe he has the potential to become one of the best midfielders in the world."
Her form this year quickly resulted in regular call-ups to the USWNT.She has 13 international appearances and one goal.
Hutton wore the captain's armband as part of the USWNT's 6-0 win over Paraguay last month.This is the first time Hutton has worn the armband.
