NWSL club San Diego Wave FC signs 17-year-old USYNT star Jaedyn Shaw

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – San Diego Wave Fútbol Club has announced the signing of 17-year-old midfielder and U.S Youth National Team star, Jaedyn Shaw.

Shaw, who will turn 18 in November 2022, had the strong desire to turn professional as soon as possible and forgo her NCAA eligibility. Due to her unique circumstances, the NWSL opened the Discovery Process for Shaw rather than require her to wait until the 2023 Draft. Her contract with San Diego will run through 2023 with no option year.

“First, I want to thank the Washington Spirit for providing me a professional training environment for the past 6 months,” Shaw said. “I am very grateful for their support. I also want to thank the NWSL for facilitating a pathway for me to join the league and start my childhood dream of becoming a professional soccer player.”

“I couldn’t be more excited to join San Diego Wave,” Shaw continued. “I’m looking forward to learning from Casey Stoney and the staff while helping the team continue to win games and hopefully bring home a championship in the club’s inaugural year!”

Shaw is a starter for the U-20 USYNT, where she recently scored two goals in three matches to help her squad win the Sud Ladies Cup in Aubagne, France. The Texas native joined the Washington Spirit for preseason in Spring 2022, furthering her development in a professional environment. At the age of 15, Shaw was also invited to train with the French first-division club, Paris Saint-Germain FC. At the youth level, the up-and-coming midfielder played for FC Dallas and most recently for Solar Soccer Club.

“I believe wholeheartedly in the development and investment in young players, and as a club, we are passionate about giving them the platform to perform,” said Wave FC head coach Casey Stoney. “We are extremely excited to sign Jaedyn. She has a very bright future, and I look forward to working with her and supporting her pathway to the highest level.”

Wave FC’s club environment is geared toward developing young talent for the future. Already regularly welcoming local youth players into Wave FC training sessions, Stoney has seen success with developing rising talents in the United Kingdom and started playing professionally herself at a young age. Additionally, numerous San Diego first-time pros have earned ample playing time in 2022 with four rookies starting in eight games or more. This milestone puts San Diego tied for second with Kansas City Current for NWSL rookie starts.

Shaw joins San Diego Wave FC as the team sits on top of the NWSL standings (6-3-3) for the 10th week in a row. Forward Alex Morgan leads the NWSL in the Golden Boot Race with 11 goals in 10 regular-season matches, a single-season career best for the Southern California native. Wave FC’s next home match is Sunday, Aug. 7 versus the Kansas City Current at Torero Stadium. San Diego Wave FC will play its opening match in the new Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday, September 17.