On Wednesday, January 14, 2026, Manchester City Women signed United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) midfielder Sam Coffey on a three-and-a-half-year deal from 2026-2029, worth $875,000 (£651k) along with some add-ons. The transfer of Coffey from the Portland Thorns to City was confirmed on January 8, after 12 months of waiting.
During a press interview, Coffey said, “City really stood out from the get-go. First and foremost, the style of play, and when I watch the team play the girls look and seem happy, and they seem so close and connected. 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.”
The Portland Thorns player captained the team in the 2025 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and led the team to the playoffs. Coffey, however, had two years remaining in her contract with Thorns. After getting drafted from Penn State University in 2022, Coffey has played the majority of her professional career with the Thorns. In her debut season, she won the NWSL championship.
As for her national career, Coffey has played in 42 matches for USWNT and was part of the team’s 2024 Paris Olympics gold medal victory. She was, however, not named in the USWNT’s 22-member squad for January international friendlies. USWNT head coach Emma Hayes gave maiden calls to four players, including Seattle Reign forward Maddie Dahlien, midfielder Sally Menti, 23, Thorns forward Reilyn Turner, and North Carolina Courage midfielder Riley Jackson.
Meanwhile, Trinity Rodman will also make her return to the senior squad after April 2025. She was part of the U.S. team in the 2024 Olympics gold medal win against Brazil. She had to withdraw from the team in October after undergoing a medial collateral ligament (MCL) sprain.
Manchester City Women director of football Therese Sjogran is excited to have a quality player like Coffey joining, and with her experience, the team could result in some advantage with the Women’s Soccer League upcoming.
Sjogran said, “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. 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. Sam is playing at the top of her game, and I think her decision to come here shows the incredible progress we’ve made as a Club and the ambitions we have moving forward.”
