Amandine Henry is coming back to the NWSL.
The longtime France midfielder has signed with Angel City, agreeing to a three-year deal (with an option for a fourth) shortly after leaving Lyon. She will be eligible to play for Angel City once the transfer window re-opens on June 28.
“I enjoyed my previous seasons in the NWSL because of the level of play, the dedication of the fans and great teammates, so I am excited to now be a part of Angel City,” Henry, who played for the Portland Thorns in 2016 and 2017, said in a team press release. “I can’t wait to be a part of a new team, help write history, and win with the club.”
“Amandine is a player who has competed at the highest and most competitive levels,” added Angel City GM Angela Hucles Mangano. “She has led for both her club and country. Her quality of football performance and commitment to the success of our team will make her an invaluable part of our roster.”
Henry has 93 caps for France and has amassed an unreal number of winner’s medals over the years. During two spells with Lyon, she was a part of 13 different Division 1 Féminine winners, adding in seven Champions League trophies and eight Coupe de France victories. With Portland, she won the 2016 NWSL Shield and the 2017 NWSL championship.
Henry addressed her departure from Lyon in a recent Instagram post, saying that Lyon had informed her they didn’t intend to give her much playing time amid some fairly significant roster upheaval.
Experience, quality in Angel City midfield
Angel City had received some critiques for a lack of proven midfield depth in 2022 and 2023, but have moved to address that with big names. First, they signed U.S. women’s national team star Julie Ertz in April, bringing her back to the game nearly two years after initially trading for her NWSL rights during their expansion build-up.
Adding Henry to the mix will immediately give them a formidable central midfield featuring two of the biggest names in the sport, but it won’t happen right away. With Ertz presumed to be on course for a USWNT World Cup spot, the duo probably won’t be paired up long enough to build cohesion until well after the World Cup.
Henry’s status with France is also a factor here. Former coach Corinne Diacre clashed repeatedly with Henry, but was driven out after a player revolt. Henry has been locked out for some time, but with new manager Hervé Renard working to repair bridges with many established veterans — and a shortage of proven defensive midfielders in the mix — the 33-year-old could be in line for a recall.
In any case, Henry’s short-term future with Angel City will see her join a team in need of some help. Freya Coombe’s side has won just once in their last 10 matches in all competitions, suffering some particularly tough results that include dropping points in stoppage time three different times and being routed by OL Reign.
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