Manchester City have announced the signing of USA international Sam Coffey from the Portland Thorns.
The 27-year-old midfielder joins City after spending her entire career to date with the Thorns.
It marks a huge boost for Andree Jeglertz’s side, who hold a six-point lead over Chelsea at the top of the WSL standings.
Sam Coffey addresses move to Manchester City
Sam Coffey, who won the NWSL Championship with Portland in 2022, explained her decision to join Manchester City after spending her career with the Thorns.
She said: “It’s a club with so much history, so much success, so much influence in the city.
“Manchester is not somewhere I’ve been before, but there’s something about it that I felt I was led to and called to.
“I think it’s also a place that just has proven its 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 honoured to be a part of.”
How much did Manchester City pay for Coffey?
Manchester City have reportedly paid £650,000 to bring Coffey to the WSL league leaders.
Coffey has signed a contract with the club, which will last until the summer after the 2028-29 season.
She will wear the No. 17 shirt for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.
It is the largest signing of the window, beating Oriane Jean-Francois’ £450,000 move to Aston Villa.
Welcome to Manchester, Sam! 🩵 pic.twitter.com/fQ4ZFxqzfH
— Manchester City Women (@ManCityWomen) January 14, 2026
How will Coffey fit into the Manchester City squad?
There are big questions as to where the USA star will fit into Manchester City’s squad.
In their most recent 2-0 win over Everton, City started with Yui Hasegawa and England’s Laura Blinkilde Brown in midfield, behind in-form Vivienne Miedema as the No.10.
Given the outlay spent on Coffey, it is expected that she will predominantly start for the WSL league leaders.
Coffey has a big reputation and is seen as one of the best No.6 players in world football.
Therefore, it is likely she will work her way into the midfield alongside Hasegawa.
Sam Coffey’s career to date
Coffey first broke into the Portland Thorns squad during the 2022 season.
In her debut season, she helped the Thorns win the NWSL Championship and was named in the NWSL Best XI.
She was also named in the NWSL Best XI during both the 2023 and 2025 seasons.
The Thorns made the semi-finals of the 2025 Playoffs, where they lost 2-0 to the beaten finalists, Washington Spirit.
In total, she scored five goals in 109 appearances for Portland. She is also a regular for the USWNT, scoring five goals in 42 caps for her country.
