Reign Secure Record-Breaking Deal for Star Striker Fishel
IslandStats.com
Seattle Reign FC have sent a clear message to the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) with the acquisition of dynamic forward Mia Fishel, in a deal reportedly worth an unprecedented $2.5 million, making it the most valuable transfer in NWSL history. The 24-year-old arrives with a formidable reputation for finding the net and is poised to ignite the Reign's attack as they navigate the second half of the season.
Currently sitting in sixth place with 21 points, the Reign have made a solid start to their NWSL campaign. However, the arrival of Fishel signals a bold intent to push further up the table and challenge for honours.
Fishel brings a wealth of experience from her highly successful stints abroad. After being drafted by Orlando Pride in 2022, she opted to move to Mexican side Tigres, where she immediately made her mark. In her debut season, she was the league's top scorer as Tigres clinched the title. She continued her prolific form, adding another 13 goals before making the switch to European giants Chelsea.
Her two seasons with Chelsea were equally laden with silverware, as the London club secured back-to-back Women’s Super League titles, their sixth FA Women’s Cup (2024-25), and third FA Women’s League Cup (2024-25). Throughout her time with Tigres and Chelsea, Fishel has amassed a collective 40 goals, consistently proving her ability to dismantle even the most organised defences.
"My job is pretty easy as a nine – to score goals, be dangerous and create opportunities for the team to win," shared Fishel, brimming with confidence. "I mean, that's the whole point of the game is to score, so I think that I'm able to break down the defense in various ways, so it obviously depends on how we want to play game by game."
The United States Women’s National Team international, who boasts three caps and a goal for her country, is eager to embrace the unique challenges of the NWSL. "I think that in this league, it asks every team to make every game count, because it's all great teams, all competitive teams who have many great players," she explained. "It just makes it more competitive."
Fishel acknowledges the demanding nature of her new league: "I know I have to adapt to the game that kind of is asked in the NWSL, as well as the physicality. Sometimes in the NWSL, it’s kind of more like a chess match to try and take the team down and kind of know what works best. I feel like in the league, it’s going to be more just raw football, that is also fun as well.”
Joining a talented squad midway through the season, Fishel is particularly excited about linking up with former Chelsea teammate Ji So-Yun. "When I was at Chelsea, they brought up all Ji all the time," Fishel revealed. "She’s a top player who saw the game differently, saw spaces that other people wouldn’t see. Her skill set is very high and her technical ability is one of one. I’m really excited to connect with her, especially as a ten. You know that connection between nine and ten is the most special, so I’m really excited to connect with her and see how she likes to play and hopefully make a dangerous duo out of that.”
The arrival of Mia Fishel is set to be one of the defining moves of the NWSL season, and all eyes will be on her as she looks to translate her prolific goalscoring record onto the American stage.
