---
title: "Former Aston Villa record signing completes NWSL move"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2026/08/04/former-aston-villa-record-signing-completes-nwsl-move/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "James Chettle"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2026-08-04T21:57:47Z"
modified: "2026-09-22T11:43:22Z"
---

# Former Aston Villa record signing completes NWSL move

**Former Aston Villa forward Gabi Nunes has completed a move to Orlando Pride after leaving the Women’s Super League club at the end of her contract this summer.**

Nunes has signed with the NWSL side until the end of the 2026 season, pending receipt of her P-1 visa and International Transfer Certificate.

The Brazil international will wear the No.18 shirt in Orlando after bringing her two-year spell at Villa to an end.

[Orlando Pride confirmed Nunes’ arrival on Tuesday](https://www.orlandocitysc.com/pride/news/orlando-pride-signs-forward-gabi-nunes), with general manager Caitlin Carducci highlighting the forward’s experience and goalscoring record.

> A new talent on the front line 🇧🇷\
> \
> ⁰The Pride have signed forward Gabi Nunes through the end of the 2026 season.
>
> — Orlando Pride (@ORLPride) [August 4, 2026](https://x.com/ORLPride/status/2084641002275647630?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

## Gabi Nunes starts new chapter after Aston Villa exit

Nunes joined Villa from Levante in 2024 but endured a difficult final season after undergoing surgery for a back problem.

She returned to first-team contention towards the end of the campaign, although Villa had already decided her contract would not be extended beyond June.

The 29-year-old now heads to the United States with considerable experience behind her.

Nunes has scored 118 goals across 232 professional club appearances during spells in Brazil, Spain and England. She has also scored eight times in 38 appearances for Brazil and helped her country win silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Orlando have only signed her until the end of the current NWSL season, giving Nunes an immediate opportunity to prove herself in another major league.

Her departure formed part of Villa’s wider summer squad changes. Movement continues elsewhere at the club, with [ReadAstonVilla reporting on Tuesday that Leon Bailey could also leave after Saudi clubs showed interest](https://readastonvilla.com/2026/08/04/aston-villa-handed-new-leon-bailey-exit-route-after-deal-collapses/).

Nunes will now look to put her injury problems behind her and make an immediate contribution in Orlando.

Her move also reunites her with several Brazil internationals in the NWSL as she begins the latest stage of a career that has already taken her across four countries.