Nigeria’s young forward, Chiamaka Okwuchukwu, has officially parted ways with San Diego Wave FC following the club’s release of its end-of-year roster decisions ahead of the 2026 NWSL season.

The announcement, made on Tuesday, December 9, confirms that Okwuchukwu, along with Hillary Beall, Kyra Carusa, Mya Jones, and Makenzy Robbe, will enter free agency and will not be returning to the club for the new campaign.

Okwuchukwu joined San Diego on January 13, 2025, after completing a move from Rivers Angels, signing a one-year deal for the season. She wasted no time making her mark, scoring just 1 minute and 32 seconds into her debut against Orlando Pride on March 29, the second-fastest debut goal in NWSL history.

She earned her first start in the next match, a 2–0 defeat to Kansas City Current, before suffering a lower-leg injury on July 30 that ruled her out for the remainder of the year and landed her on the Season-Ending Injury List.

The 19-year-old finished her first NWSL campaign with three appearances, 144 minutes, and one goal.

San Diego Wave FC bid her farewell with a brief message of appreciation: “Thank you, Chiamaka and Mya.”

With her talent already evident in Nigeria and now on the American stage, all eyes will be on Okwuchukwu’s next move as supporters anticipate the next chapter for the 2024 CAF Women’s Young Player of the Year nominee.