Deadline day for the Women’s Super League saw a world record transfer for a goalkeeper in women’s soccer.
Phallon Tullis-Joyce has joined Manchester United, departing OL Reign in a deal reported by Sounder at Heart to be worth nearly $160,000.
“Today has been pure excitement for me,” said Tullis-Joyce in a press release from her new club. “Manchester United is such an historic club, that has already done so much in the women’s game. I’m so honored to get this opportunity.”
“Phallon joins us at an exciting time for Manchester United Women, as we embark on our first European season,” added manager Marc Skinner. “We are delighted to welcome Phallon to our family.”
The transfer fee and various add-ons surpass the financial side of Kailen Sheridan’s December 2021 move from NJ/NY Gotham FC to the San Diego Wave, which is believed to be the previous global record for a goalkeeper in women’s soccer. That deal saw the Wave put up $130,000 in allocation money, along with a guarantee that the then-expansion club would not select any players from Gotham in that year’s expansion draft.
With the Red Devils, Tullis-Joyce may have a battle on her hands. England No. 1 Mary Earps was the subject of a huge amount of transfer speculation following the World Cup, but a mooted move to Arsenal was not completed before the WSL’s deadline closed late on Thursday.
A blow for OL Reign on and off the field
Tullis-Joyce finishes her three years in Seattle with 47 appearances in all competitions, and holds the club record for regular-season shutouts (13). The 26-year-old was ever-present in goal as the Reign won the 2022 NWSL Shield.
Tullis-Joyce became a fan favorite in Seattle, particularly through a series of comedic videos on her second love, marine biology. Tullis-Joyce majored in the topic during her time at the University of Miami.
Happy Phishy Phinds Phriday! 🐠🔍
Grab your dry suit 👩🏽🚀 cause we’re headed into the Puget Sound in Washington🏔️🧊 to find the ocean’s fabulous fashionista 💃🏽 the decorator crab! 🦀📸 and catch up on all the various scuba specialties offered 🤿⬇️https://t.co/4bdyvgFXES
— Phallon (@phallon91) May 26, 2023
“Phallon is someone who we value and has achieved quite a lot both on and off field during her time here,” Reign GM Lesle Gallimore said in a club statement. “We worked with Phallon and Manchester United to make sure all parties were satisfied with the move and once we got to an agreement, everything moved pretty quickly. We will be forever grateful for Phallon’s achievements with OL Reign and wish her all the best in the WSL.”
In the meantime, it appears that the Reign have been preparing for Tullis-Joyce’s departure in recent games. Claudia Dickey and Laurel Ivory have both appeared in recent games, with Ivory most recently getting the nod in the team’s Challenge Cup semifinal loss to Racing Louisville.
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