Boston Legacy FC announced the signing of Mali international Aïssata Traoré to a three-year contract through the 2028 NWSL season.

The 27-year-old forward will remain on loan with Division 1 club FC Fleury 91 in France before joining Boston for its 2026 preseason. With the signing, Traoré becomes the first-ever player from Mali to join the NWSL and Boston’s first international.

Traoré made her mark in France with Guingamp, spent a title-winning stint in Turkey with Beşiktaş, and most recently, has played Fleury, scoring nine goals and four assists in 20 matches. A dynamic striker known for her versatility, she has a talent for scoring with either foot and from distance.

Internationally, Traoré has been a fixture for Mali since 2018, when she helped lead the team to a historic semifinal run at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). Now, seven years later, she’s back at WAFCON with Les Aiglonnes. Fans can catch a first glimpse of Traoré in action at WAFCON this month, with Mali’s next group stage match on July 11 against Ghana (12 p.m. ET), followed by a July 14 matchup with defending 2022 champions South Africa (3 p.m. ET).