Feb 20, 2025; Houston, Texas, [USA]; Colombia forward Manuela Pavi (7) and USA defender Jenna Nighswonger (5) battle for the ball in the first half at Shell Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
On Monday, August 10, Bay FC announced that they had acquired defender Jenna Nighswonger from Arsenal WFC. Nighswonger has spent two years with the European side, but before that, had a successful run in the NWSL. She won the 2023 NWSL championship with NJ/NY Gotham FC, and was named NWSL Rookie of the Year that year, as well. She made 46 total appearances for the club in two seasons.
After the 2024 season, Nighswonger departed for Arsenal, but her time across the pond did not quite go as planned. She only made four appearances for Arsenal in the 2024-25 season, and made just one appearance in the 2025-26 season before being loaned to Aston Villa WFC, where she made nine appearances.
“I’m really excited to return to the NWSL and begin this next chapter with Bay FC,” Nighswonger said in an official press release. “I have a lot of confidence in what this group can accomplish moving forward, and I’m ready to get to work and help the team compete.”
Nighswonger is likely looking for this move to be a chance to get her club career back on track. A member of the 2024 Gold Medal-winning US women’s national team, Nighswonger has not received a call-up to the senior national team in any recent fixtures.
