Canadian international defender Gabby Karl has signed a new contract with the Washington Spirit that will keep her with the NWSL team through the 2029 season.
The Spirit say the five-year contract is retroactive to the start of the 2025 season.
“The District of Columbia is a special place and that’s where I want to be,” Carl said in a statement. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to extend my time with Spirit and look forward to helping the team achieve its goals over the next four years.”
The 27-year-old from Levis, Que., is finishing her third season with Washington, who finished second in the NWSL playoffs the last two seasons.
Karl appeared in 83 games for Washington and logged more than 2,300 minutes of playing time in 30 games last season.
“Keeping Gabby with the club for the next four seasons is important for our back line,” Spirit general manager Nathan Mignon said. “She is one of the most versatile defenders and underrated players in our league, and we are excited to maintain our strong third defensive position for the foreseeable future.”
Karl joined Washington in December 2022, spending her first professional season with Kristianstad in Sweden. She played college soccer at Florida State University, playing 100 games and helping the Seminoles win two national championships.
Karl has won 60 caps for Canada, competing at the 2019 and 2023 World Championships and the 2021 and 2024 Olympics.
Washington opens the preseason in January and the regular season begins in mid-March.
