There is big news in the NWSL as the Portland Thorns have signed French international Amandine Henry. The midfielder is considered one of the best in the world, and was one of three French players in the inaugural FIFPro Women’s World XI.

This move is huge for the four-year-old NWSL, considering most of the international players in the league are not from top international leagues. Most international players are from countries that do not have significant club leagues or they are Australian, whose club season is opposite that of the NWSL.

Comes with Championship Experience

Photo Credit: Philippe Huguen/Getty Images
Photo Credit: Philippe Huguen/Getty Images

The 26-year-old Henry is moving from French club Olympique Lyonnais, which is one of the best in the world, so the move comes as somewhat of a shock to some. She has played for the team for nine seasons and won back-to-back Champions League titles in the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons. She scored 44 goals in 198 appearances for the club and was a prominent player for the team.

Internationally, Henry has scored four goals in 45 appearances, including a screamer against Mexico in the FIFA Women’s World Cup this past summer in Canada. There, she was also awarded the Silver Ball as the second best player in the tournament.

The Thorns have already started preseason with new coach Mark Parsons, recently announcing their initial roster for the upcoming preseason, which includes a mix of current players, 2016 draft picks and non-roster invitees. The team won the inaugural NWSL season, but was knocked out in the semifinals in the second season and missed out on the playoffs last year. The addition of Henry should add more depth to the midfield.

Henry sent a message to Thorns fans through the team’s Twitter page saying, “Hello, I am very excited to join Thorns FC. See you soon Portland!

Henry will join the Thorns at the end of her contract with Lyon this summer.

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About the author
Izzy Greenblatt
Journalism at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. From St. Louis, Missouri and is a lover of all sports. She will be working as a soccer writer, specifically women's soccer and the NWSL.