Portland acquires rights to Canadian international from Racing Louisville FC
PORTLAND, Ore. –Portland Thorns FC have signed Canadian international forward Janine Beckie to a three-year contract with a one-year option, it was announced today.
Thorns FC acquired Beckie’s rights via a trade with Racing Louisville FC in exchange for $75,000 in allocation money. Louisville will receive an additional $25,000 in allocation money conditioned upon Portland and Beckie’s performance during the 2022 season.Following the trade with Louisville, Thorns FC completed a transfer with Manchester City in exchange for allocation money and signed her to a contract with the club. She will join the team in Portland and be added to the roster pending the receipt of her International Transfer Certificate (ITC).
“Bringing Janine to this club is an important step as we continue to build our roster for this season and into the future. We are grateful that we were able to work with Louisville and Manchester City to make this happen in a very tight window,” said Thorns FC general manager Karina LeBlanc. “Janine expressed her desire to come to Portland to play under [Thorns FC head coach] Rhian [Wilkinson], which is a testament to the groundwork Rhian has laid in establishing herself within women’s soccer. Janine is a top sought-after international player that brings valuable experience at the club level, playing abroad and in the NWSL, and we are thrilled to have her in Portland.”
- Fast Facts: Janine Beckie
Beckie, 27, has made 86 appearances at the international level (72 starts), tallying 34 goals and 12 assists for Canada. The Highlands Ranch, Colo. native helped guide Canada to gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and a bronze medal in 2016, while also featuring at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Beckie started all six Tokyo Olympic matches for Canada, recording both goals on July 24, 2021, to secure a 2-1 win over Chile. She made her senior Olympic debut in the Rio 2016 Olympics, scoring 20 seconds into her first appearance against Australia and recording the fastest goal in Olympic history at the time. Throughout the 2016 tournament, she netted three goals to help Canada earn bronze.
“Janine is a versatile player who can play across multiple positions,” said Thorns FC head coach Rhian Wilkinson. “She works hard defensively, something I value very highly, and with her engine, athleticism, speed and finishing ability, will bring a lot to our attacks. She is a team-first type of person, which will allow her to seamlessly fit in with this team and group of players. We are excited to have her here.”
In four seasons with Manchester City (2018-22), Beckie appeared in 84 matches across all competitions, logging 21 goals. She helped Manchester City win two FA Cup titles (2019, 2020) and two League Cup titles (2019, 2022). In 10 Champions League appearances, Beckie scored six goals.
She was drafted eighth overall out of Texas Tech University in the 2016 NWSL Draft by the Houston Dash. In two seasons with the Dash (2016-17), Beckie made 38 appearances (32 starts), registering five goals and three assists. Notably, she scored in her professional debut on April 16, 2016, against the Chicago Red Stars. Beckie was traded to Sky Blue FC in 2018, where she played 15 games, starting 11, before signing with Manchester City.
During her collegiate career at Texas Tech (2012-15), Beckie set several program records for the Raiders, including career goals (57), game-winning goals (22) and points (130). Beckie helped the Red Raiders to NCAA playoff berths all four seasons, making it to the round of 32 three times and to the Sweet 16 in 2014.
Janine Beckie
Position: Forward
Birthdate: Aug. 20, 1994
Hometown: Highlands Ranch, Colo.
Height: 5-8
Previous Club: Manchester City
College: Texas Tech University
Citizenship: Canada/United States
