Wellington Phoenix star Macey Fraser to join Utah Royals in A-League Women record deal
Wednesday, 17 April 2024
Wellington Phoenix have agreed a deal to sell midfielder Macey Fraser to NWSL club Utah Royals.
The six-figure deal has set a new A-League Women transfer record.
Fraser starred with three goals and five assists during her first professional season.
Utah Royals have smashed the A-League Women transfer record to bring Wellington Phoenix rising star Macey Fraser to the National Women’s Soccer League.
The highly-rated Football Ferns midfielder is making the move to the United States after one season with the Phoenix after the club accepted a six-figure deal for her services.
Her transfer represents a significant milestone for the Phoenix as it is the first time an overseas club have paid a fee to sign a player from their women’s team.
While the Phoenix are remaining tight lipped on the exact sum paid by Utah, it’s understood Fraser’s sale comfortably tops the rumoured $100,000 Bay FC spent to sign Canadian goalkeeper Lysianne Proulx from Melbourne City in February.
That broke the previous record for an outbound transfer set days earlier when another City player, Matildas fullback Kaitlyn Torpey, made the switch to San Diego Wave for a reported $75,000.
“This is a red letter day for Macey and the club,” Phoenix director of football Shaun Gill said.
“She’s been one of the best talents in New Zealand for several years and it’s great the Phoenix have been able to help her realise that potential.
“Her move shows the high performance pathway we’ve created for female footballers in Aotearoa.
“Macey was one of the first women to join the club’s academy in 2021 and after one season with our A-League programme is about to join a team playing in one of the top leagues in the world.
“We wish her all the best at the Royals and we look forward to helping our other players realise their footballing dreams abroad.”
Although she has long been considered one of the brightest talents in New Zealand, it was only when Paul Temple, her former academy coach, took over as Phoenix first team coach that Fraser was given an opportunity to showcase her skills at a professional level.
Confident on the ball, it did not take long for the 21-year-old midfielder to establish herself as one of the most exciting young players in the A-League Women.
Fraser scored three goals and laid on a team-high five assists during a breakout first season for the Phoenix.
She scored an eye-catching goal in a 3-0 rout of Western Sydney Wanderers in just her second game after faking to shoot and then hitting a sweet strike from the edge of the penalty area.
Fraser added to her highlight reel when she scored a goal of the season contender by bending a free-kick into the top corner in a 3-1 win over Western United in round four.
The Canterbury product made her senior international football debut against Tonga during the Football Ferns’ Olympic qualifiers in Samoa this year.
She had previously represented New Zealand at under-17 and under-20 levels, helping the Young Football Ferns create history with a bronze medal at the Under-17 Women’s World Cup in Uruguay in 2018.
Football Ferns captain Ali Riley, who plays for Angel City in the NWSL, recently described Fraser as “the full package” following her performance in an emphatic 4-0 win over Thailand.
“I think the future is so bright for her. She’s going to be a huge part of this team [the Football Ferns],” Riley said.
“She’s the full package and she is so exciting to watch. That’s the style of football we want to play.”
Fraser is the second young Football Fern to make the jump from the A-League Women to the NWSL – one of the premier leagues in women’s football – this year following Milly Clegg’s recent move to Racing Louisville.
The Utah Royals currently sit 13th in the 14-team competition after the club was revived by the owners of the Real Salt Lake Major League Soccer franchise.
The team is coached by former US international and 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup winner Amy Rodriguez.
“Macey is a player that can make an immediate impact on our team,” Utah sporting director Kelly Cousins said.
“Not only does she have the temperament, but has the technical and physical abilities to succeed in the NWSL.
“We are excited to welcome her to the club and to watch her develop here in Utah.”
Fraser described the move as a dream come true and said she was grateful for Temple and the Phoenix for helping her rekindle her love for football.
She has signed a three-year deal with an option for a fourth.
“The NWSL is a huge league and it’s a massive opportunity for me to show myself on a big stage so I’m super excited,” Fraser said.
“As a kid I always dreamed to play in the big leagues but I didn’t know it would come this soon, obviously.”
Fraser will link up with her new club once her US visa has been approved.