Casey Murphy signs lucrative £1.1m deal with NWSL expansion side Boston Legacy | OneFootball

Oct 11, 2025; Cary, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Courage goalkeeper Casey Murphy (1) makes a pass during the first half against the Washington Spirit at First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. Credit: Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images

USWNT goalkeeper Casey Murphy has signed one of the most lucrative deals for a goalkeeper in NWSL history with expansion side the Boston Legacy.

Casey Murphy signs for the Boston Legacy

Casey Murphy joins the Boston Legacy after departing North Carolina Courage as a free agent.

The 29-year-old, who has earned 20 caps for the USWNT, has signed a contract until 2029 with the option of an additional year.

It has widely been reported that she will earn a guaranteed $1.5 million (£1.1m), which is one of the most lucrative deals for a goalkeeper in the league’s history.

Speaking to the club’s website, Murphy said: “I’m excited to be in such a sports city. They call it ‘Title Town’ for a reason. I’m excited to build a culture here from the ground up and be a part of something new.

“There’s a lot of exciting energy and ambition around this team that drew me to it. I’m just looking forward to putting my leadership skills on display and setting the standard each day for my teammates and meeting new people and getting involved in the community as well.”

Murphy joined her former side, the Courage, in 2020 from Seattle Reign. She made 108 appearances in North Carolina, who failed to make the Playoffs this season.

Boston Legacy preparing for debut season

The Boston Legacy, alongside Denver Summit FC, will join the NWSL from the start of the 2026 season.

It was previously announced that the Legacy would play at the Gillette Stadium for the upcoming campaign – the home of NFL side the New England Patriots.

Boston will then move to White Stadium in Franklin Park for the 2027 campaign.

The squad is already taking shape ahead of the new season. Boston Legacy’s big-name addition is Brazilian forward Amanda Gutierres, who finished 21st in the 2025 Ballon d’Or vote.

Murphy is the second free-agent goalkeeper to join the team, after Hannah Stambaugh. Boston Legacy announced the signing of Stambaugh last week after she left Angel City.

The additions of Boston and Denver takes the NWSL to 16 teams for the 2026 season.

A side based in Atlanta will join the NWSL in 2028, after they paid a record expansion fee of $165 million (£125m).

This compares to the $110m (£83m) paid by Denver Summit and Boston Legacy, who will join the NWSL in 2026.