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Nigerian national team’s Deborah Abiodun and San Diego State star Emma Gaines-Ramos join the Spirit
Washington, D.C. (01/06/2025) – The Washington Spirit has made the first additions to its 2025 rookie class, signing forward Emma Gaines-Ramos and midfielder Deborah Abiodun, the club announced today. This year’s class comes in the wake of 2024’s historic group of first-year players highlighted by NWSL Midfielder and Rookie of the Year Croix Bethune.
Abiodun arrives in DC after two seasons at Pitt, where she was a standout player for the Panthers. In 34 appearances, the midfielder tallied ten goals and three assists while being named to the All-ACC teams in both seasons. In 2023, Abiodun was named to the all-conference Freshman and Third teams while she earned Second Team All-ACC honors in 2024. At the international level, Abiodun has extensive experience with the Nigerian senior team. She was named to the Super Falcons’ World Cup roster in 2023 and Olympics roster in 2024. Abiodun inked a three-year contract with a 2028 option and will occupy an international slot on the Spirit roster.
“I’m beyond thrilled to take this next step in my career by joining Washington Spirit,” said Abiodun. “This isn’t just a dream; it’s a purpose I’ve poured my heart and soul into and I’m ready to give everything I have to the game I love. Especially with a team that cares about its players’ growth and development, which makes Washington Spirit a perfect team for me to achieve my purpose.”
Gaines-Ramos joins the Spirit after five seasons at San Diego State University. Across 91 appearances with the Aztecs, the forward tallied 19 goals and 25 assists, earning all-conference honors four times. She was named to the All-Mountain West First Team in 2020 and 2022 before being named to the Second Team in 2023 and 2024. Gaines-Ramos joins on a two-year deal with 2027 and 2028 options and will start out on the season-ending injury (SEI) list but be eligible to return in 2025.
“Signing with the Washington Spirit was an easy decision for me as it is an incredible opportunity to challenge myself and compete at the highest level,” said Gaines-Ramos. “The club’s commitment to excellence, development, team culture and its community make it the perfect place for me to grow and contribute to its success as a player and a person.”
The Spirit will take the field in 2025 looking to build on this year’s second place finish in the NWSL. Behind stellar performances from the side’s star players and rookie phenoms, the Spirit set new single season club marks on the pitch in wins (18, also a league record), points (56) and goals (51) in front of record attendances at Audi Field in 2024. Fans can secure their spot to see the Spirit in the team’s next match at Audi Field by becoming 2025 Season Ticket Members here or joining the 2025 priority list.
About The Washington Spirit
The Washington Spirit is the premier professional women’s soccer team based in Washington, D.C. and plays at Audi Field in Buzzard Point. The Spirit was founded on November 21, 2012 and is an inaugural member of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) the fastest growing sports league in the US. The club is home to some of the best players in the world who have won championships for both club and country. In 2024, the Spirit drafted an epic class of rookies who are already breaking records and wowing fans. For more information about the Spirit, visit WashingtonSpirit.com and follow the club on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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