Shadia Nankya has completed a move to French topflight side Le Havre AC on a one and a half year contract, becoming the first Ugandan player to sign in the French Première Ligue.
The Crested Cranes defender was officially unveiled on Tuesday and will wear shirt number five at the club. Her switch to Europe marks a significant milestone for Ugandan women’s football, with the French league regarded as one of the most competitive in Europe.
Nankya joins Le Havre after parting ways with Washington Spirit in the United States. She had recently spent time on loan at Dallas Trinity in the USL Super League before concluding her stint in American football.
Before moving abroad, the towering centre back featured for Uganda Martyrs and UCU Lady Cardinals, where she built her reputation locally. She later turned out for Egyptian side FC Masar, attracting international interest with a string of commanding performances at the heart of defence.
At Le Havre, Nankya will step into a side currently eighth on the league table with 16 points from 16 matches this season. She could make her debut on Tuesday, March 10, in a daunting fixture against eight time European champions Olympique Lyonnais Féminin.
Her arrival not only strengthens Le Havre’s backline but also sets a new benchmark for Ugandan players aiming to break into Europe’s elite women’s leagues.
