Alimata Bélem signs with Washington Spirit until 2029

This is a historic move. Defender Alimata Bélem, 21, has signed with the Washington Spirit, a club in the National Women’s Soccer League, on a four-year contract. She becomes the first player from Burkina Faso to join the NWSL.

A first for a Burkinabè player

Washington Spirit has officially announced the arrival of the young defender from Spain. Bélem has put pen to paper on a four-year deal that runs through 2029. Trained in Burkina Faso at Association Sportive les Oisillons, she continued her career in Europe with Dux Logroño in 2023 and then SD Eibar in July 2025. Last season, she featured in 29 Liga F matches. Despite her youth, her solid and versatile defensive profile already makes her a reliable asset.

Belem to remain on loan at Eibar

The Burkinabè star won't be joining Washington immediately. She will finish out 2026 on loan at SD Eibar, where she is already a key figure. Bélem will link up with the American club in January next year to prepare for the 2027 NWSL season. This transition period will allow her to continue gaining valuable minutes in Europe before making the big leap to the United States.

A rising talent for Burkina Faso

On the international stage, Bélem is already a pillar for the Etalons Dames. At just 18, she was among the youngest players at the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations, Burkina Faso’s first appearance at the tournament. She also helped her country qualify for the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. With the U20s, she claimed a silver medal at the 2019 UNAF and played in the qualifiers for the 2020 World Cup in Costa Rica. With this transfer, she is blazing a trail for Burkinabè women's football in the United States.

Nafongo TRAORE |

News Editorfr, ar, en

Nafongon Moussa TRAORE, Burkinabè de 25 ans, est passionné de football, est rédacteur pour Foot Africa et commentateur pour BurkiFoot.

Related teams and leagues

Eibar

Washington Spirit

NWSL USA