Portland Thorns fans woke up to a seismic shift in the NWSL landscape this week. On January 14, 2026, the club confirmed the departure of their captain and midfield dynamo, Sam Coffey, who is heading across the Atlantic to join Manchester City in England’s Women’s Super League (WSL). The move—long rumored but now official—marks the end of an era in Portland and the start of a bold new chapter for both Coffey and her former club.
The deal, as reported by multiple outlets including ESPN and The Athletic, is valued at $875,000 with potential add-ons, setting a high bar in the women’s football transfer market. While the Thorns have not disclosed all the terms, sources close to both clubs have confirmed the base fee, making it one of the most significant player moves in recent NWSL history.
“While the Thorns organization did everything it could to keep Sam in Portland, we thought it was important to support her ambitions while we continue building a team capable of competing for championships,” said Jeff Agoos, President and General Manager of Soccer Operations for the Thorns. His words echo the bittersweet mood in the Rose City, where Coffey has become not just a leader on the pitch but a symbol of the club’s identity.
Coffey’s impact on the Thorns is hard to overstate. Drafted out of Penn State in 2022, she immediately became a fixture in the midfield, helping Portland capture the NWSL Championship in her rookie season. Her on-field intelligence and relentless work rate earned her selections to the NWSL Best XI in 2022, 2023, and 2025, and she was nominated for Rookie of the Year in her debut campaign. By 2025, she had ascended to the captaincy, sharing leadership duties with goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold after the retirement of club legend Christine Sinclair.
The stats speak for themselves. Last season, Coffey led the team in minutes played (2,221 over 25 starts), scored two goals, and ranked second on the squad with four assists. Her steady presence helped Portland finish third in the league and reach the playoff semifinals, a significant improvement from the previous year’s sixth-place finish and quarterfinal exit. Despite this progress, head coach Rob Gale was dismissed in November after just one full season at the helm, leaving the Thorns with a coaching vacancy and now, a massive hole in midfield.
For Coffey, the move to Manchester City is the realization of a lifelong dream. “For as long as I’ve kicked a ball, I’ve always dreamed of playing professional soccer in Europe, and it’s something I simply have to pursue,” Coffey said in a farewell video posted by the Thorns. “I would never forgive myself if I didn’t go try.”
Manchester City, meanwhile, wasted little time rolling out the red carpet for their new signing. The club confirmed Coffey’s arrival on a three-and-a-half-year deal, keeping her at the club through 2029. “Sam’s reputation as one of the world’s best speaks for itself, and we’re delighted she’s chosen to come here ahead of other potential suitors,” said Therese Sjogran, Manchester City Women’s director of football. “We believe she has all the qualities needed to thrive at City and, more broadly, the WSL, and we’re excited to see how she can elevate our already superb squad of players.”
City’s interest in Coffey dates back to last summer, with multiple sources confirming that the English club had been tracking her progress for months. The timing couldn’t be better for City, who currently lead the Women’s Super League by six points and are eyeing their first league title since 2016. The addition of Coffey is seen as a statement of intent, particularly with the squad looking to add depth in midfield as they push for silverware.
“I think I’m at a place in my career where I feel ready and settled in as a pro. It feels like the right time to really challenge myself in this way,” Coffey shared with Manchester City club media. “The fact it’s official, I’m here and it’s all real and happening is just so exciting, and I couldn’t be more ready and happy about everything.”
Her new club is already stacked with talent, but Coffey’s arrival adds a unique dimension. She’s a deep-lying playmaker, known for her ball-winning abilities and tactical awareness. City’s midfield, already boasting the likes of England international Laura Blinkilde-Brown and the experienced Yui Hasegawa, will benefit from Coffey’s grit and dynamism—especially with Hasegawa set to miss part of the season for international duty.
Coffey’s international résumé is equally impressive. Since breaking into the United States women’s national team, she’s earned 42 caps, scored five goals, and contributed four assists. Perhaps most notably, she was a key figure in Emma Hayes’ squad that captured the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Coffey has become the first-choice number six for the USWNT, and her star only looks set to rise with a possible FIFA Women’s World Cup debut looming in 2027.
Back in Portland, the Thorns now face a period of transition. The current roster, as of January 14, 2026, includes goalkeepers Mackenzie Arnold, Bella Bixby, and Morgan Messner; defenders Sam Hiatt, Mallie McKenzie, Marie Müller, Isabella Obaze, Jayden Perry, Reyna Reyes, and M.A. Vignola; midfielders Deyna Castellanos, Jessie Fleming, Shae Harvey, and Olivia Moultrie; and forwards Mimi Alidou, Julie Dufour, Caiya Hanks, Valerin Loboa, Maddie Padelski, Alexa Spaanstra, Pietra Tordin, Reilyn Turner, Morgan Weaver, and Sophia Wilson. It’s a youthful squad, with rising stars like Moultrie and the returning Wilson expected to shoulder more responsibility.
The Thorns’ front office will be under pressure to find the right head coach and reinforce the squad as preseason approaches on February 15. With Coffey gone and a new era dawning, the club’s ability to adapt will be put to the test. Yet, there’s no shortage of optimism in Portland. The Thorns have a history of resilience and a passionate fan base hungry for more silverware.
As for Coffey, her journey from Penn State standout to NWSL champion, Olympic gold medalist, and now WSL star is a testament to her ambition and talent. She leaves behind a legacy in Portland and steps into a new challenge in Manchester, ready to test herself against Europe’s elite and help City chase glory.
For now, all eyes will be on Coffey as she dons the sky blue of Manchester City. Will she be the missing piece in City’s title quest? Time will tell, but one thing’s certain: both sides of the Atlantic will be watching closely as Sam Coffey writes the next chapter of her remarkable career.
