Racing Louisville agreed to transfer forward Thembi Kgatlana to Mexican club Tigres in exchange for a fee, the clubs announced Wednesday.
The six-figure transfer fee is the second-highest in National Women’s Soccer League history for a player departing the league for a foreign club – and the largest transfer fee in Racing history. The agreement includes a sell-on clause and an add-on to the transfer fee for Racing should Kgatlana surpass a specific number of goals for Tigres.
“While my time at Racing Louisville was short-lived, I am truly thankful to the fans and the people of Louisville for their support,” Kgatlana said. “The affection and experience I received at the club will always be a big part of my life and career. I am sure we will cross paths again in the future.”
“We want to wish Thembi all the best as she takes on a new challenge in Mexico,” said Racing general manager Ryan Dell. “Naturally we are disappointed to lose such a talented player who is a great presence in our locker room, but we had extensive discussions with Thembi and completely respected her desire for this move. This is a life-changing opportunity for her and her family.”
In Louisville, Kgatlana tallied two goals and two assists in 16 appearances for Racing after returning from a 10-month rehabilitation process to heal a torn Achilles tendon. She originally signed with Racing from Atletico Madrid in July 2022 but suffered her injury a week after the announcement, delaying her arrival until January 2023.
Over the year with Racing, Kgatlana became a fan and locker-room favorite while helping Louisville to its first NWSL knockout tournament appearance in the UKG NWSL Challenge Cup. She started seven league games for Racing and notched 797 total minutes across all competitions, making her first appearance on May 6 in Orlando.
Kgatlana, 27, played a huge role in South Africa making history at this past summer’s 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, where she scored twice and assisted two goals in leading Banyana Banyana to its first knockout stage appearance at the globe’s biggest tournament.
At Tigres, Kgatlana joins a club that recently won the Liga MX Femenil’s 2022 Torneo Apertura.
