Laveni Vaka

Laveni Vaka
Personal information
Full name Laveni Chantelle Vaka[1]
Date of birth (2001-08-11) August 11, 2001
Place of birth Sandy, Utah, United States[2]
Height 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Position Defender
Team information
Current team
 Santos Laguna
Number 4
Youth career
Bombers Elite
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019–2023 BYU Cougars 97 (0)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2024–2026 Fort Lauderdale United 31 (0)
2026– Santos Laguna 0 (0)
International career
2014 United States U14
2018– Tonga 5 (1)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 03:37, 18 May 2026 (UTC)

Laveni Chantelle Vaka (born August 11, 2001) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender for Liga MX Femenil club Santos Laguna. Born in the United States, she plays for the Tonga national team. She has previously played for USL Super League club Fort Lauderdale United FC.[3][4]

Club career

Vaka played college soccer for the BYU Cougars in the United States.[5][6][7][8] She was drafted by Bay FC in the fourth round of the 2024 NWSL Draft on January 12, 2024.[9] Vaka was subsequently not signed to Bay FC ahead of their 2024 season.

She signed with Fort Lauderdale United FC in May 2024, becoming the first Tongan professional female soccer player.[10] She started all 18 of Fort Lauderdale United's matches before sustaining an ACL injury in March 2025.[11] She returned to the pitch in the 2025–26 season, where she started in all but one of her 13 appearances.[12]

In July 2026, Vaka joined Mexican Liga MX Femenil club Santos Laguna ahead of the 2026 Apertura.[13]

International career

Vaka attended training camp with the United States under-14 team in 2014.[14]

She represents the Tonga national team.[3][4]

Personal life

Vaka's twin sister, Daviana, is also a professional soccer player. Daviana played briefly for Fort Lauderdale United FC during the 2024–25 season, becoming the second ever Tongan professional female soccer player after Laveni.[15] Daviana also represents the Tonga national team at the international level.[4][16]

Honors

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "Brigham Young University College of Fine Arts and Communications Convocation". Brigham Young University. p. 7. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Fort Lauderdale United FC makes history signing Tonga's first female professional soccer player, Laveni Vaka". Gainbridge Super League. May 16, 2024. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  3. 1 2 "Laveni Vaka: Tongan talent in the United States". oceaniafootballcenter.org. June 11, 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 "Vaka sisters to play for Tongan national soccer team". heraldextra.com.
  5. ↑ "JDCHS girls soccer team putting in work on the field". draperjournal.com.
  6. ↑ "What's the secret to BYU's unprecedented success in NCAA women's sports this year?". deseret.com. December 18, 2023.
  7. ↑ "One key player in the women's College Cup". topdrawersoccer.com.
  8. ↑ "NCAA Division I Women's Soccer All-Region Teams revealed for 2021". soccerwire.com.
  9. ↑ "Bay FC selects five players in 2024 NWSL Draft". Bay FC. January 12, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  10. ↑ "Fort Lauderdale United FC makes history signing Tonga's first female professional soccer player, Laveni Vaka". Archived from the original on May 31, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  11. ↑ "INJURY UPDATE: Laveni Vaka". Fort Lauderdale United FC. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Fort Lauderdale United FC Announces Departures Ahead of 2026 Gainbridge Super League Season". Fort Lauderdale United FC. June 23, 2026. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
  13. ↑ "LAS GUERRERAS SUMAN CUATRO NUEVOS REFUERZOS RUMBO AL APERTURA 2026". Club Santos. July 8, 2026. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  14. ↑ "U-14 GNT Starts New Cycle with Portland Camp". May 27, 2014. Archived from the original on November 10, 2014.
  15. ↑ "Tonga's second female professional soccer player Daviana Vaka joins US super league". TalanoaOTonga.to. Talanoa O Tonga. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  16. ↑ Bunker, Chase. "7 more join Sporting Jax inaugural roster". ActionNewsJax.com. Action News Jax. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
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