Boston Legacy FC acquired defender Lilly Reale from Gotham FC on Wednesday in exchange for $400,000 in allocation money and transfer funds.
The 22-year-old native of Hingham, Mass., joins her hometown club on a four-year contract through December 2029.
Reale was the 2025 NWSL Rookie of the Year and appeared in 35 league matches for Gotham, helping the club win the NWSL Championship last season.
"Understanding where this club is going and the direction that it's going in excites me the most," Reale said.
"Being able to understand not only the investment that ownership from top down has really put into this club and then also the team and the direction they're going in, understanding that this is the beginning, but that they're really hungry and asserting a style that you don't see as often, I think, in the NWSL -- I think that really excites me, just being able to understand different playing styles and play whatever role I can on this team to help us get some wins."
Reale has earned nine caps with the U.S. Women's National Team since making her debut in 2025. She won a national championship at UCLA in 2022.
"Lilly is a player of real quality and competitive character, and her NWSL Rookie of the Year award last season proves that," said Legacy general manager Dome Guasch. "But she's also a young player with enormous room to grow, and part of what drives this move is our belief that her best years are still in front of her. This is her city, she understands what it means to compete here, and we intend to be the club that helps her fulfill that potential."
Gotham will receive $350,000 in allocation money and $50,000 in intraleague transfer fee funds.
The Legacy will return to action on July 5 against visiting Bay FC.
--Field Level Media
