Australian international defender Ellie Carpenter has signed for current UEFA Women’s champions league holders Lyon.
The 20 year old moves to Europe after a deal was struck between Lyon and Portland Thorns.
At eighteen years old she became the youngest player to make her debut and eventually became the youngest scorer in the history of the NWSL.
In total she played for the club 33 times, playing 2,520 minutes, recording one goal and one assist.
Carpenter has made 42 appearances for her country and was a member of Australia’s 2019 Women’s World Cup squad.
On her departure Carpenter told the Portland Thorns website “The Thorns have played an extremely important role in helping me grow and develop as a player over the past two years, and I am grateful to everyone who invested in me during my time in Portland,” said Carpenter. “I am proud to have been part of this club and want to thank Gavin, Mark, the staff and my teammates for helping me get where I am today”.
And to the fans in Portland, thank you for all your support, for embracing me and allowing me the opportunity to play in front of the best fans in the world, day in and day out, it was a very special experience.”
On behalf of Thorns FC, I would like to thank Ellie for her contributions to the club over the past two seasons, both on and off the field, and wish her the very best with her career,” added Gavin Wilkinson, general manager and president of football for Thorns FC. “This transfer provides Ellie with an opportunity that she wanted to pursue, while also giving the Thorns flexibility to strengthen the team as we build beyond the 2020 season and is a move that makes sense at this time for all concerned.”
She also spent time back in Australia in 2020 and helped Melbourne City win the W-League Premiership and Championship during a loan spell.
Photo: @ThornsFC
