Gotham FC acquire Yazmeen Ryan from Portland Thorns in four-way trade

Yazmeen Ryan on the ball for Portland Thorns
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 29: Yazmeen Ryan #23 of Portland Thorns FC looks to pass the ball in the second half of the 2022 National Womens Soccer League Championship Match against Kansas City Current at Audi Field on October 29, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Ira L. Black/Getty Images)

NJ/NY Gotham FC have announced the signing of Yazmeen Ryan in a trade involving four NWSL sides.

The forward has joined from Angel City, who acquired her from Portland Thorns for $200,000 (£167,000) in allocation money.

The Californian team then traded Ryan to Gotham FC in exchange for Gotham’s first draft pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft.

Portland Thorns midfielder Yazmeen Ryan (#23) controls possession against the Houston Dash in an NWSL match at Providence Park on Saturday, May 21, 2022. Sean Meagher/The Oregonian

In order to maintain their relatively high position on draft day, Gotham acquired the second pick from Orlando Pride for allocation money. Orlando also got Gotham’s natural fourth pick in 2024’s draft.

Ryan joins Gotham having won the NWSL Championship with the Portland Thorns. She was a significant contributor to Thorns’ success, ending the season with five assists and two goals in 18 appearances.

The New Jersey outfit have been busy during the offseason, bringing in local talent Kristen Edmonds as a free agent from Kansas City Current. Goalkeeper Abby Smith also signed from Portland weeks prior, to strengthen the goalkeeping department.

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Alongside fresh faces, key players have renewed their contracts.

Forwards Ifeoma Onumonu and Taylor Smith have committed to the team. The club also extended defender Mandy Freeman’s and midfielder Victoria Pickett’s contracts.

The transfer business comes after Gotham finished last during the 2022 season, signalling a need for drastic changes within the personnel.

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