Racing Louisville FC acquired $60,000 in allocation money as part of a three-team trade that will send Racing defender Julia Lester to Seattle Reign FC, the clubs announced Wednesday.
NJ/NY Gotham FC will receive Reign defender Sam Hiatt in the agreement and send $20,000 in allocation money to Seattle.
“For two seasons, Julia has been the consummate teammate and professional at Racing Louisville,” Racing general manager Ryan Dell said. “We wish her continued success in Seattle.”
Lester, 26, spent two years in Louisville after arriving in March 2022, appearing in 43 matches across all competitions and starting in 39 of them.
Primarily a center back who can also play outside back, Lester was a starter in the 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup final, Racing’s first appearance in an NWSL final. She started each of the 18 games she appeared in this past season.
Before her time with Racing, Lester played two years for Apollon Ladies in Cyprus, including six UEFA Women’s Champions League appearances.
