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Laveni Vaka

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Laveni Vaka
Personal information
Full name Laveni Chantelle Vaka[1]
Date of birth (2001-08-11) August 11, 2001 (age 24)
Place of birth Sandy, Utah, United States[2]
Height 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Position Defender
Team information
Current team
 Fort Lauderdale United FC
Number 5
Youth career
Bombers Elite
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019–2023 BYU Cougars 97 (0)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2024– Fort Lauderdale United FC 24 (0)
International career
2014 United States U14
2018– Tonga 5 (1)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 23:09, April 2, 2026 (UTC)

Laveni Chantelle Vaka (born August 11, 2001) is a footballer who plays as a defender for Fort Lauderdale United FC of the USL Super League. Born in the United States, she is a Tonga international.[3][4]

Club career

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Vaka started her career with 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]

International career

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Vaka attended training camp with the United States under-14 team in 2014.[12]

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

Personal life

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Her twin sister, Davi, is also a professional soccer player. Davi played briefly for Fort Lauderdale United FC during the 2024–25 season, becoming the second ever Tongan professional female soccer player after Laveni.[13] Davi currently plays for Sporting Club Jacksonville, and also represents the Tonga national team at the international level.[4][14]

Honors

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Individual

References

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  1. ^ "Brigham Young University College of Fine Arts and Communications Convocation". https://cfac.byu.edu/00000187-a527-dfcb-a9df-bdbfb5b60001/23-108-fac-convo-6-qr-pdf. Brigham Young University. p. 7. Retrieved May 14, 2026. {{cite web}}: External link in |website= (help)
  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. ^ a b "Laveni Vaka: Tongan talent in the United States". oceaniafootballcenter.org. June 11, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c "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. ^ "U-14 GNT Starts New Cycle with Portland Camp". May 27, 2014. Archived from the original on November 10, 2014.
  13. ^ "Tonga's second female professional soccer player Daviana Vaka joins US super league". TalanoaOTonga.to. Talanoa O Tonga. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  14. ^ Bunker, Chase. "7 more join Sporting Jax inaugural roster". ActionNewsJax.com. Action News Jax. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
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