Jessie Fleming heads to the Portland Thorns! Chelsea and Canada star completes blockbuster transfer for NWSL-record fee

After posting a video teasing the signing on Tuesday, the Thorns announced Fleming's arrival on Wednesday as she brought her four-year stay in England to an end. The Telegraph reported last week that Portland has paid an NWSL-record fee for her services, nearing $316,000 (£250,000).

Fleming said: "I am very excited to be joining the Portland Thorns. More than anything, I am looking forward to being a part of the incredible community surrounding the team that is so often talked about with Portland. I feel honored to represent these people and this city, and cannot wait to get started."

“Adding a player of Jessie’s caliber is a big step for us as we continue to build the roster for 2024 and beyond,” head coach Mike Norris added. “Jessie has great ability to connect and create in midfield, which makes her a very dynamic option for us in the middle of the field. Her eye for a final pass will be a great asset for our front line. Add in her physical capabilities to go box-to-box, we feel that we have acquired a very complete world class midfielder.”

Despite arriving in London with incredible credentials, Fleming struggled to really nail down a regular place in Chelsea's line-up during her four years with the club, starting around half of her 106 appearances with the Blues.

However, she continued to excel for Canada when away on international duty, most notably playing a crucial role in her nation's incredible Olympic triumph in 2021, and there is no doubt that Portland has acquired an outstanding midfielder in the 25-year-old.

Fleming scored the goal that knocked the United States women's national team out of the 2021 Olympic women's football tournament and thus secured not only Canada's place in the gold medal match, but also the nation's first win over the U.S. in 20 years.

With the new NWSL season not kicking off until March, Fleming's immediate focus will instead be on international matters as she and Canada prepare for February's CONCACAF W Gold Cup. After that tournament, she'll hope to settle in well in Portland as the Thorns look to improve after last year's trophy-less season.