Several big-name Gotham FC players are eligible to begin engaging in free agency conversations with interested teams starting on Wednesday.
Rose Lavelle, Ann-Katrin Berger, Jess Carter and Midge Purce headline a group of nine Gotham FC players whose contracts are nearing expiration at the end of the 2026 season, making them eligible to engage in NWSL free agency discussions beginning on July 1.
Questions Surround Lavelle’s Gotham FC Future
Lavelle, Berger, Carter, Purce, veteran defender Mandy Freeman, backup goalkeeper Shelby Hogan, rookie midfielder Talia Sommer, forward Khyah Harper and rookie forward Andrea Kitahata all currently possess contracts that, if nothing changes, will run out at the end of the year.
This doesn’t mean that each of the group of nine players will necessarily leave the club, though these players are able to explore options with interested teams starting on Wednesday.
If a player with an expiring contract reaches a deal with a new club, the player cannot join that club until the 2027 season and will continue playing for their current club through the remainder of the 2026 campaign.
Gotham FC Announces Roster Updates Ahead of 2027 Free Agency Window
Here is Gotham FC’s current roster. Contract completion dates are indicated with parentheses. This roster information was provided by Gotham FC:
Goalkeepers (4): Ann-Katrin Berger* (INTL/2026), Ryan Campbell (2028), Shelby Hogan* (2026), Teagan Wy (2028)
Defenders (6): Bruninha (INTL/2027), Jess Carter* (2026), Tierna Davidson (2027), Kayla Duran (2027), Mandy Freeman* (2026), Emily Sonnett (2028)
Midfielders (8): Sofia Cook (2028), Jaelin Howell (2028), Rose Lavelle* (2026), Savannah McCaskill (2028), Sarah Schupansky (2027), Jaedyn Shaw (2029), Talia Sommer* (2026), Taryn Torres (2027)
Forwards (8): Jordynn Dudley (2028), Esther González (2027), Khyah Harper* (2026), Sam Kerr (INTL/2030), Andrea Kitahata* (2026), Midge Purce* (2026), Guro Reiten (INTL/2029), Mak Whitham (U18/2028)
- – denotes free agents for 2027 and beyond
There have been several significant changes to the roster lately, including the arrival of world-class striker Sam Kerr and the sudden retirement of Katie Lampson, who announced an end to her playing career on Tuesday.
It should be noted that Kerr was not eligible for the High Impact Player (HIP) rule and, therefore, was signed outside the HIP designation. Additionally, Sonnett’s contract extension was reached using the HIP funds, according to her agency, REM Sports.
Follow South Ward Central for the latest Gotham FC transfer news as it develops.
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