San Diego Wave sign Canadian international Adriana Leon
Credit: SD Wave
The San Diego Wave officially announced the signing of Adriana Leon this Monday, February 24, from Aston Villa for an undisclosed fee.
The Canadian international has a two-year deal in place through the 2026 season with a mutual option for the 2027 campaign.
The Ontario native played college soccer with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and with the Florida Gators before starting her professional career.
Her collegiate career was quite successful as the newest Wave player was part of a historic Norte Dame NCAA Women’s Championship team in 2010. Leon began her professional career in the second tier of women’s soccer with the Toronto Lady Lynx before joining NWSL side Boston Breakers in 2013.
a golden signing for San Diego
pic.twitter.com/N8oH9DFhEs
— San Diego Wave FC (@sandiegowavefc) February 24, 2025
The 32-year-old has been a journeywoman playing with 11 different teams before joining the San Diego Wave. The Canadian forward has plenty of NWSL experience, most recently playing with the Portland Thorns on a loan deal in 2023.
Since 2019, Leon has played with three different Women’s Super League clubs in England and has enjoyed relative success. The Ontario native was a key player with West Ham United from 2019-2022, had a brief stint with Manchester United, and most recently was a key figure at Aston Villa.
Leon has also had success representing Canada consistently for well over a decade, most notably winning a Gold Medal at the 2021 Summer Olympics. The veteran forward has participated in three FIFA Women’s World Cups and also has three silver medals in the CONCACAF Championship.
Leon brings a ton of experience to a San Diego team that has lost some of its leaders over the past few months. At 32 years old, she still offers a lot of pace down the wings, which has the potential to be dangerous in an offense that already has Maria Sanchez and Delphine Cascarino.
Leon has the ability to play across the frontline, and it will be interesting to see how head coach Jonas Eidevall utilizes her this season.
“She is a proven playmaker with technical quality, creativity, and a relentless work ethic that will complement our style of play,” said SD Wave Sporting Director and General Manager Camile Ashton. “Her experience in top leagues and on the international stage will be invaluable, and we’re excited to welcome her and see the immediate impact she’ll have both on and off the field.”
The San Diego Wave begin play on Sunday, March 16, against Angel City FC away from home at BMO Stadium.
Francisco, 28, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego FC, San Diego Wave. I have covered Liga MX, MLS, Mexico National Team, USWNT, Copa América and European clubs like Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund.