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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Sanchez joined Houston just four months ago</li><li>Record NSWL signing already wants out</li><li>Admits experience has "taken a toll"</li></ul>

'Taken a toll' - Maria Sanchez releases emotional statement and confirms she's requested Houston Dash trade mere months after signing record NWSL contract

Sanchez signed for Houston Dash just four months ago, penning a deal worth a then-NWSL record $1.5 million (£1.2m). However, it hasn't all gone according to plan, with reports circulating earlier this week that <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/maria-sanchez-houston-dash-shock-trade-biggest-ever-nwsl-contract/bltd9795d2eec8b397f#cs1b76d50da07eaddd" target="_blank">the Mexico forward had requested a transfer elsewhere</a>. Now, she's confirmed the news via X, thanking fans for the support she's received in the last few days.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Thank you, everyone, for the outpouring of kindness and support. <a href="https://t.co/gcnN7dhCJU">pic.twitter.com/gcnN7dhCJU</a>— Maria Sanchez (@Maria17_7) <a href="https://twitter.com/Maria17_7/status/1781147704535708018?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2024</a></blockquote>
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WHAT HAPPENED?

"Thank you, everyone, for the outpouring of kindness and support," <a href="https://twitter.com/maria17_7/status/1781147704535708018?s=46" target="_blank">Sanchez posted on X</a>, attaching a screenshot of a longer message. It read: "This has all taken a toll and it isn't an easy thing to talk about, but I want to confirm that I've requested an immediate trade. The club has been aware of this since late March and my expectations and reasons have been clear. I trust that my current club's management will honor my decision in a timely manner and proceed with accepting a trade."<a href="https://twitter.com/Maria17_7/status/1781147704535708018/photo/1"> </a>

WHAT SANCHEZ SAID

It's still a little unclear exactly what has happened behind the scenes at Houston Dash. The latest we've heard from the club itself was a simple statement that read "Maria Sanchez is under contract, a choice she made in free agency at the end of 2023."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The 28-year-old's statement seems to suggest she's confident that a trade can be agreed upon. It's worth noting though that Sanchez's contract is signed with the NWSL, not the Dash, so it would remain in place if she joined a new team and any interested parties would have to be able to pay that current deal.

WHAT NEXT FOR SANCHEZ? 

'Taken a toll' - Maria Sanchez releases emotional statement and confirms she's requested Houston Dash trade mere months after signing record NWSL contract | Goal.com

Houston Dash forward Maria Sanchez has confirmed that she has requested a move in an emotional statement, thanking fans for their support.

&apos;Taken a toll&apos; - Maria Sanchez releases emotional statement and confirms she&apos;s requested Houston Dash trade mere months after signing record NWSL contract