The Kansas City Current announced two mega intraleague trades, sending Claire Hutton to Bay FC then acquiring Croix Bethune from the Washington Spirit.
The Current got $1.1 million for Hutton, the second largest intraleague trade in NWSL history. With that, the Current turned around and traded $1 million for Bethune.
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Hutton signed with the Kansas City Current at the end of 2023, making her NWSL debut in March 2024 and earning three assists over two seasons. In her time with Kansas City, Hutton became a midfield fixture and was nominated for 2024 Rookie of the Year.
On Instagram, Hutton said this was “one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make.”
“To my teammates, coaches, and staff, thank you for pouring your very best into me and helping me grow into the person and player I am today,” Hutton said. “Coming into a new environment at just 17 years old was beyond scary, but I never doubted the love, trust, and support you have for me from the very beginning. You’ve become part of my family, and I’ll cherish that forever.”
Hutton joins a Bay FC team that has spent the offseason transforming, primarily by bringing in Head Coach Emma Coates.
“Bay FC is a club with real ambition, and that is a big part of why this move feels right for me,” Hutton said in a press release. “It’s clear from Coach Coates how detailed her vision is and how much she values challenging players to keep improving. The standards she wants to set and the environment the club is building really resonated with me, and I’m excited to join a group that pushes each other every day as we compete at the highest level while winning championships.”
The trade for Hutton is second only to the deal that sent Jaedyn Shaw from the North Carolina Courage to Gotham FC last season, and the Current make history with the third largest intraleague trade for Bethune.
The 2024 Rookie of the Year and Midfielder of the Year came into the Spirit locker room and made an immediate impact, scoring five goals and notching 10 assists in just 17 games before she was sidelined for the remainder of the season. She got back on the field for the 2025 regular season on April 26 and earned two goals and two assists in the regular season, and the game-winning goal that sent the Spirit to back-to-back NWSL Championships.
“I am incredibly grateful and excited to officially join the Kansas City Current family,” said Bethune in a press release. “It is an honor to represent a club that exemplifies relentless energy, togetherness and a world-class commitment to elevating women’s sports. It’s Teal Time, KC BABY!”
Who said NWSL chaos can’t happen in the offseason too?