San Diego Wave FC adds Chiamaka Okwuchukwu, Gia Corley, trades Jaedyn Shaw
Credit: SD Wave FC
A week after hiring Jonas Eidevall as head coach, San Diego Wave FC made three significant roster changes in preparation for the 2025 season. The Wave acquired 19-year-old Nigerian striker Chiamaka Okwuchukwu, 22-year-old German forward Gia Corley and traded midfielder Jaedyn Shaw to NC Courage.
Shaw played in 61 games with San Diego, scoring 14 goals. She was the 2022 U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year and a 2024 Olympic Gold Medalist. NC Courage is sending the Wave $300,000 in Allocation Money and $150,000 in Intra-League Transfer Funds, along with international roster slots for 2025 and 2026.
The deal also includes a conditional agreement in which the Wave could receive up to $75,000 in Allocation Money in 2025 in exchange for sending up to $150,000 in intra-league transfer fees to the Courage.
Parting ways with Shaw, who was recently named to the 26-player roster for the U.S. Women’s National Team January Training Camp alongside teammate Naomi Girma, caught many by surprise given her accomplishments in such a young career.
However, the 20-year-old informed the team early last season of her desire to “explore other options outside the Wave,” according to Sporting Director and General Manager Camille Ashton.
“I want to thank the fans and the entire San Diego Wave organization for the incredible support and love you have shown me,” Shaw said in the press statement. “It’s been an absolute honor to start my professional career in this city and represent this Club. The opportunity to pursue a new chapter is bittersweet, but I am excited about what lies ahead.”
Although trading away a talented young player is disappointing, the Wave signed Chiamaka Okwuchukwu on Monday, who was a finalist for the CAF Young Women’s Player of the Year award. Chiamaka will join the team on a one-year contract after previously playing for the Rivers Angels FC in the first division of the Nigerian Women’s Premier League.
Okwuchukwu was on the Nigeria U-20 Women’s National Team at the 2022 and 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. In her most recent showing, she scored two goals in four matches. When Chiamaka arrived in San Diego, she was welcomed by Wave supporters at the airport.
This Wednesday, January 15, the Wave also announced the signing of 22-year-old German forward Gia Corley from Hoffenheim on a two-year deal through the 2026 season.
