PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland Thorns FC have re-signed soccer legend Christine Sinclair to a one-year deal for the 2024 season, the club announced Monday.
“I’m thrilled to be back at Portland for another year and be a part of this next era of women’s soccer in the Rose City,” Sinclair said.
Sinclair is the club's all-time leading goal-scorer and will be returning for her 12th season with the Thorns. She's scored 62 goals — third most in National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) history — and her 176 appearances rank seventh in the NWSL.
She's the only player to be a part of every title the Thorns have ever won: the NWSL Championship in 2013, 2017 and 2022; the NWSL Shield in 2016 and 2021; the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup; the 2021 Women’s International Champions Cup; and the 2020 NWSL Community Shield.
“To get the GOAT back in a Thorns jersey for 2024 is fantastic news. To have Sinc’s experience, qualities and presence is vital for our roster, in both her impact on the field as well as the example she sets for others on a daily basis,” said Thorns head coach Mike Norris. “She is a key piece of the identity of the Thorns and what it means to represent for Portland, Soccer City, USA.”
Last year, after a 23-year career, Sinclair, a longtime member of the Canada's women's national team, retired from international football after a 1-0 victory over Australia. She retired as the reigning international goal-scoring leader, male or female, with 190 goals.
“Sinc has been with this club from the beginning, she is the foundation with which Portland Thorns is built on, and as much as she is a part of the DNA of the Thorns, the Thorns are part of her DNA,” said general manager Karina LeBlanc. “She has been committed to building this league and this club, and we are thrilled to be able to have her back for another year as we begin this next era in Thorns history."
Last week, the Thorns also re-signed defender Meghan Klingenberg to a one-year deal, keeping the two-time NWSL champion in Portland for another year. Klingenberg, who's been with the club for eight years, has made 144 appearances for the Thorns and 156 matches across her NWSL career.
In August, against the North Carolina Courage, she became the 24th player in league history, and the fourth in club history, to eclipse 150 games played in the NWSL.
“We are pleased to have Kling continue with the Thorns family through 2024. She has played a pivotal role, both on and off the field, for this group for many years and we look forward to working with her this coming season,” Norris said. “She has a history of winning at both the club and national team level and this will be a key ingredient within our roster as we push to get back to winning ways in 2024.”
