San Diego Wave FC acquire Kaitlyn Torpey from Melbourne City FC

Kaitlyn Torpey celebrates for Melbourne City (Photo Courtesy of SD Wave FC)

San Diego Wave FC announced today that they have acquired Australian defender Kaitlyn Torpey from Melbourne City FC for an undisclosed transfer fee. Torpey’s new contract lasts two years and goes through the 2025 season. 

“Kaitlyn (Torpey) is a talented young defender and has a bright future ahead of her with the Wave,” Wave FC General Manager Molly Downtain said. “She’s a fantastic addition to our group of defenders and is a great fit to what we are building in San Diego, and we are excited to welcome her to the club.”

Torpey made her professional debut at 16 years old with the Brisbane Roar in where she spent five seasons before moving on to join Melbourne City FC of the W-League. In her three seasons with the club she made 44 starts and notched six goals and five assists as a fullback on the right side of the pitch. 

Torpey scores for Preston Lions FC (Video Courtesy of SD Wave FC)

Torpey has also represented her country for the U-17, U-19 and U-23 Australia Women’s National Team where she has appeared in various international competitions and most recently featured in friendly matches against the Scotland U-23 Women's National Team in September, 2023.

Kaitlyn Torpey receives award for Melbourne City (Photo Courtesy of SD Wave FC)

Torpey joins the Wave as its third international transaction of the offseason alongside defender Hanna Lundkvist a Swedish international who was recently brought in from Atlético de Madrid of Liga F, and Mya Jones a Canadian international player drafted by the Wave in the third round from the University of Memphis. 

Kaitlyn Torpey scores for Melbourne City (Video Courtesy of SD Wave FC)

Torpey would be the club’s official fourth international player to utilize one of the five international slots per team allowed by the NWSL. 

As of now their NWSL Draft pick Mya Jones would take the fifth international spot, but has not officially signed a contract with the club meaning she could leave by the end of the preseason camp. Canadian goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan does not count toward the international slot because she was in the NWSL before the rule and is thus grandfathered in. Emily Van Egmond is not currently listed as an international player on the club’s roster page, but in the past has been listed as one for the club.