USWNT's Lindsey Horan sticks with Lyon after Thorns transfer

(Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)

Lindsey Horan’s decision to stay with Olympique Lyonnais became official Thursday, as the Portland Thorns transferred her to the French club.

The U.S. women’s national team midfielder joined Lyon on an 18-month loan in January 2022 after six seasons with Portland in the NWSL. The loan expired this month, but the teams worked out a deal to keep her in Division 1 Féminine.

Lyon paid a transfer fee of €250,000 (approximately $274,000) to keep Horan in the fold, plus a potential €50,000 (approximately $54,750) in performance bonuses, per a news release. Her contract with the Thorns ran through the 2025 NWSL season, while her new deal with Lyon will keep her with the club through the 2025-26 European season.

In 88 regular-season appearances for the Thorns, Horan contributed 25 goals and and nine assists, and she won NWSL MVP in 2018.

“Portland holds such a special place in my heart,” Horan said in a release from the Thorns. “I made many incredible memories I will never forget. On top of that, I also had the opportunity to win multiple trophies and share that success with so many amazing people.

The transfer comes in a big week for the 29-year-old, who got engaged to her boyfriend Tyler Heaps and was named to the USWNT World Cup roster.