Gotham FC transferred forward Gabi Portilho to San Diego Wave for $175,000 in intraleague transfer funds, the club announced at 1 pm ET today.
The Brazilian international was a key part of Gotham's attack in 2025, contributing three goals and three assists in the title-winning 2025 season. The 30-year-old joined the Bats from Sport Club Corinthians Paulista, where her performances earned a nomination for the 2024 Ballon d’Or Féminin.
Gotham general manager Yael Averbuch West called the forward "an important part of our club’s success" in a statement issued by the club. (You'll find the full announcement at the bottom of this post.)
Portilho's minutes at Gotham fluctuated over her time with the club. The forward started in the upset win over the heavily favored Kansas City Current in the playoffs last November, then added another 63' in the road win over Orlando Pride the following week. But she remained on the bench in the title game, and didn't feature in either of the 2026 FIFA Women's Champions Cup games Gotham played in January.
Gabi Portilho makes it 1-1 vs Angel City| Courtesy NWSL
Her last goal contribution in all competitions came on September 7, 2025, when she scored against Angel City to even it 1-1. Gotham went on to win that game by the score of 3-1. Coincidentally, a rumor surfaced two days later that Gotham would sign Jaedyn Shaw in a blockbuster deal. Four days after that, Shaw joined the Bats.
JERSEY CITY, N.J. (Mar. 2, 2026) - Gotham FC has agreed to transfer forward Gabi Portilho to San Diego Wave FC, the club announced Monday.
Gotham will receive $175,000 in intraleague transfer funds in exchange for Portilho, a Brazilian international who joined the club ahead of the 2025 season.
“Gabi has been an important part of our club’s success since she joined us, and we’re thankful for everything she brought to Gotham FC,” said Yael Averbuch West, the general manager and head of soccer operations for Gotham FC. “We wish her all the best as she moves forward in her career.”
Portilho joined Gotham from Brazilian powerhouse Corinthians, where she spent five seasons. She became the ninth player in Gotham FC history to score in her regular-season club debut and the first Brazilian player in league history to score in her NWSL regular-season debut, netting Gotham’s lone goal in a 1-1 draw against Seattle Reign FC on March 16.
Portilho recorded three goals and three assists in 17 NWSL regular-season appearances, helping Gotham win the 2025 Concacaf W Champions Cup and the NWSL Championship. She started both the quarterfinal and semifinal matches of the 2025 NWSL Playoffs as Gotham secured its second NWSL title in three seasons.
