Thorns FC have acquired Portugal National Team forward Ana Dias for the 2024 season, with a mutual second-year option. Dias joins the club from Russian side ZFK Zenit.
PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC have acquired Portugal National Team forward Ana Dias for the 2024 season with a mutual second-year option, pending the receipt of her P-1 visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC).
“It’s exciting to add a player of Ana’s caliber to our roster. Her professional experience abroad will bring another element to our squad, which is exciting for us. Her personal goals and ambitions align perfectly with what we hope to do as a club,” General Manager and President of Soccer Operations Karina LeBlanc said.
Dias, 26, comes to the Rose City by way of St. Petersburg, Russia, where she played three seasons with ZFK Zenit. During her time with Zenit, Dias helped her squad win its first ever Russia Women’s Football Championship, lifting the trophy at the end of the 2022 season. Across her three years with Zenit she scored 36 goals in 70 appearances.
“Ana has been a consistent and proven goalscorer the past couple of seasons. These goals have come in a variety of forms and make Ana a very dynamic forward both in and out of possession,” Head Coach Mike Norris said. “We are excited to add Ana’s qualities to our roster and welcome her to the Thorns family.”
Prior to her time in Russia, Dias played for GDC A-dos-Francos and UR Cadima in her home country of Portugal.
With the Portugal National Team, Dias has appeared in seven matches, most recently against South Korea and Czech Republic, both of which were victories for her country in February.
The Thorns are set to host NJ/NY Gotham FC on Sunday, March 24, at 4pm PT for the team’s home opener at Providence Park. Tickets are available for purchase, while fans can also catch the match on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.
