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Racing Louisville and the Chicago Red Stars on Friday announced a trade moving Arin Wright to the National Women’s Soccer League club in her home state. The member of the University of Kentucky Hall of Fame will now play just an hour from her hometown of Nicholasville, Kentucky, in the best league in the world.
In exchange, Racing sent Chicago the No. 15 pick in the NWSL Draft and $125,000 in allocation money.
“Having the opportunity to come home to the beautiful Bluegrass State and give back to the community that developed me and encouraged me to chase my dreams of being a professional athlete is something that all athletes dream of,” Wright said. “I am grateful for all Kentucky has given me in my youth, and now it’s my turn to return the favor. It might not be UK blue, but red and blue make purple … right?! I couldn’t be more thrilled to join Racing Louisville and be a part of building a dynasty here in my old Kentucky home.”
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“We are incredibly excited for Arin to join Racing,” said Racing coach Bev Yanez. “She brings a wealth of NWSL experience and is a competitor in every aspect. She’s a huge addition to our squad, and we can’t wait to welcome her home to Kentucky!”
“This was a deal we really wanted to get over the line because it brings Arin and her family home,” said Racing general manager Ryan Dell. “Adding someone with her resume and talent is so important for us. She brings leadership, experience and versatility to our locker room, and I can’t wait to see her suit up on our squad.”
The 31-year-old Wright, née Gilliland, comes to Louisville after an eventful eight years with the Chicago Red Stars, where she twice earned first or second Best XI honors and was a 2016 Defender of the Year finalist. She was part of seven Chicago playoff teams, making two trips to the NWSL Championship, including starting in the 2021 final at Lynn Family Stadium.
In all, Wright tallied three goals and 13 assists in 164 appearances across all competitions, leaving Chicago as the club’s all-time leader in games started, with 143.
Now, Wright will play on familiar soil. Wright grew up a short drive from Lexington and 75 miles from downtown Louisville. She was a prep All-American and Kentucky Miss Soccer while starring at West Jessamine High.
Wright played for her hometown school, becoming one of the most decorated players in University of Kentucky women’s soccer history. She’s third all-time in both career assists and games played at UK and fourth in goals – and the program’s leader in game-winning scores. While there, Wright led Kentucky to its first Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament.
In four years with the Cats, Wright was a four-time All-SEC selection, two-time MAC Hermann Trophy finalist and a two-time All-American, ultimately becoming the first Kentucky player to ever be selected in a professional women’s soccer draft.
While Wright has played for Chicago at Lynn Family Stadium five times over the past three seasons, she will be the first University of Kentucky grad to don the lavender and mint on the Butchertown neighborhood pitch since Racing started NWSL play in 2021. Another former UK standout, Yuuka Kurosaki, recently signed with Racing, but Kurosaki finished her collegiate career at Oklahoma.
The veteran Wright adds experience to a strong defensive corps at Racing that includes Abby Erceg, Wright’s former teammate in Chicago. Louisville is coming off its best defensive performance yet in three years of existence, having conceded just 24 goals and posting six shutouts.
