Morrison, 26, arrives in Portland after playing in Australia for the Melbourne Victory
PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC have signed defender Kayla Morrison as a National Team Replacement player, the club announced today. Morrison will be eligible for selection after her International Transfer Certificate (ITC) has been secured.
Morrison, 26, arrives in Portland after playing in Australia for the Melbourne Victory. Following her collegiate career at the University of Kansas (2013-17), the 2017 Big 12 Defender of the Year moved to Melbourne in 2018 and played for Bulleen Lions in the National Premier Leagues Women’s (NPLW) for two seasons, helping the team win the 2018 NPLW Championship.
In 2020, Morrison played in Sweden with Morön BK before returning to Australia and signing with the Victory ahead of the 2020-21 A-League season. She helped lead the Victory to the A-League Grand Final, winning the title, while playing every minute of every game. Across three seasons with the Victory, Morrison started and played in 31 matches, tallying six goals and two assists.
National Team Replacement players can be signed when a national team player is away on international duty and will not count against the team’s roster limit.
Kayla Morrison
Position: Defender
Height: 5-9
Born: Aug. 5, 1996
Hometown: Corona, Calif.
Previous Club: Melbourne Victory (Australia)
College: Kansas
