Defender Shadia Nankya is the newest member of the Washington Spirit squad. She joined the team from FC Masar in the Egyptian Premier League, where she played for one year. During her time there, she made 27 appearances and scored three goals, despite playing as a defender.
Shadia Nankya Joining Washington Spirit
The 24-year-old defender’s journey to professional soccer began at Uganda Christian University (UCU), a sports powerhouse in Uganda. She played for the UCU Lady Cardinals in the FUFA Women’s Super League. In 2021, she faced a setback due to a knee injury that sidelined her for much of the 2022 season. However, she made her return to active soccer in 2023. Her transfer to Washington is a dream come true for the youngster, who also represents the Uganda national team, the SheCranes. Currently, she has five national team caps to her name and has represented Uganda at the CECAFA games and WAFCON tournaments.
Loan to Dallas Trinity FC
Shadia joined the Washington Spirit in February and was soon loaned to Dallas Trinity FC in the USL Super League in March for an undisclosed fee. The President of Soccer Operations for the Washington Spirit confirmed this move, stating, “Shadia will gain important professional experience playing with a great Dallas club this year.” She will spend the remainder of 2025 with Dallas Trinity FC. She joins other players on loan from the Washington Spirit, including Nigerian Deborah Abiodun and Brazilian Tamara Bolt.
Impact of Shadia
Shadia is the first Ugandan to sign a professional contract with the NWSL. This move is a victory for her home country, highlighting more of its athletes gaining recognition in top leagues around the world. It’s an opportunity for her to expand her impact in the community as she becomes a source of hope and inspiration for the younger generation that looks up to her.
