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Sam Coffey is officially a player for Manchester City. The reported move from the Portland Thorns was announced by the English club early on Wednesday. Coffey’s contract in Manchester runs through the summer of 2029.
Manchester City will reportedly pay Portland a transfer fee $875,000 with potential add-ons, according to ESPN.
Coffey said in an emotional goodbye video posted by the Thorns that playing in Europe has long been one of her goals.
“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. I would never forgive myself if I didn’t go try,” Coffey said in a video filmed at Providence Park.
The move leaves the Thorns without their talisman and 2024 captain. During what was a turbulent season in terms of injuries and maternity leaves, Coffey started all but one match and was a stabilizing force in midfield. She was named to the league’s Best XI for the third time in four years.
Manchester City are chasing their first title in a decade and lead England’s Women’s Super League by 6 points over Chelsea after defeating Everton on the weekend to open the second half of the season. Coffey has never been on a side that finished top of table but was a rookie when the Thorns won the 2022 NWSL Championship.
“It’s a club with so much history, so much success, so much influence in the city,” Coffey said in comments posted on Man City’s official site. “Manchester is not somewhere I’ve been before, but there’s something about it that I felt I was led to and called to.”
Coffey also gave a nod to the club as one that has recently increased investment in the women’s team, a growing trend across Europe.
“I think it’s also a place that just has proven it’s investment in women’s soccer and being a part of this movement that is going on.
“Seeing the facilities, the support the team gets and all the efforts they are putting in for the women’s side is such a huge and positive side and something I’m honored to be a part of.”
