Lo LaBonta Signs Long-term Extension with KC Current

Last night, the Kansas City Current’s social media team posted a picture of a teal jersey with the numbers 2028, and a teal jewel encrusted golden crown. The most obvious answer was that the “Celly Queen” had re-signed. But there was speculation it could be Bia Zaneratto, apparently called the “Teal Empress.” Many players names were thrown out.

This morning, the suspense was ended and the KC Current announced that Lo LaBonta has re-signed through 2028, her age 35 season.

Lo LaBonta was already technically a free agent, available to negotiate with any team in the league or around the world. She was on a long-list of KC Current players who could potentially leave in the offseason.

Unlike the forward position, there are *very* few midfielders with decent minutes available in NWSL Free Agency this offseason. There is one player who's minutes and statistical ranking jumps out, and is undoubtedly the prize FA midfield acquisition: Lo'eau LaBonta.

— Mike McGrew (@zavcurrent.bsky.social) 2025-11-06T16:16:19.890Z

The team didn’t let it come to that. Their captain is now locked up for the foreseeable future, and she joins Kayla Sharples, who got a new contract since free agency began. There is still a long list of potential free agents, with Bia and Hailie Mace being the biggest names on the list. That might be business for a future day as the KC Current turn their attention to the playoffs on Sunday when they host Gotham FC.

CELLY QUEEN IS HERE TO STAY 👑Lo signs a new contract with the club through 2028 ✍️

— KC Current (@kansascitycurrent.bsky.social) 2025-11-06T16:32:22.776Z

LaBonta’s History

Lo’eau LaBonta is KC royalty. She’s been a part of the Kansas City Current since before they had a name, the 2021 KC WoSo season.

“From baseball field to NWSL Shield, I’ve seen how far we’ve come and I’m hyped to see how far we can go,” said LaBonta.

She’s never really left this franchise once she arrived because she was drafted by Sky Blue FC (which are now called Gotham) in 2015 as the 37th overall pick but landed in Kansas City the following season. Lo tells a story about not giving up because she was initially cut before catching on with the roster.

When FCKC folded and the franchise rights moved to Salt Lake, Lo followed with the Utah Royals. When they folded that team (which has since re-arrived via expansion), she came back with that squad to form what is today the Kansas City Current.

The Celly Queen is known far and wide in Kansas City. Her and her husband, future Sporting KC legend Roger Espinoza, are the first couple of Kansas City soccer.

General Manager, Caitlin Carducci, knew she had to get a deal done.

“Lo has been a staple of the Kansas City Current since the beginning, and we are excited to extend her time here,” said Carducci. “Her presence in training, in matches, in the locker room and in the community is one of a kind. Lo has been vital in cultivating a standard of excellence here at the Kansas City Current and will be for years to come.”

LaBonta may be increasing her odds at making the United States Women’s National Team’s 2027 World Cup roster. It’s a long way out, but she’s impressed in camp recently with head coach Emma Hayes heaping praise on the diminutive midfielder. Hayes called her “maternal” and a “gem.”

Whatever the future holds for LaBonta, it’ll surely be in Kansas City.