Amandine Henry (left) signs with Angel City (Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports)
Amandine Henry is back in the National Women’s Soccer League, joining Los Angeles-based Angel City FC on a three-year contract with an option for an additional year.
Henry, a midfielder with nearly 100 caps for France, has primarily played for French giants Lyon since 2007, winning seven UEFA Champions League titles in addition to various league honors. She joined the Portland Thorns in 2016 and stayed for 18 months, helping the Thorns win the NWSL Championship in 2017.
“I enjoyed my previous seasons [2016 and 2017] 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 said. “I can’t wait to be a part of a new team, help write history, and win with the club.”
Henry’s contract with Lyon ran out at the end of this European season and was not renewed. She will be available to report to Angel City once the NWSL’s secondary transfer window opens on June 28. The deal was first reported by Amanda Zaza in April.
Henry leaves Lyon a year after scoring one of his best goals, in the 2022 UEFA Champions League final, in which Lyon defeated Barcelona 3-1 to return to the top of Europe.
Despite that goal and her form for Lyon, Henry was left out of France’s 2022 European Championship roster as part of an ongoing rift with former head coach Corinne Diacre. Henry, who was France’s captain on home soil at the 2019 World Cup, has not been called up to the national team in nearly three years in the fallout of public disagreements with Deacon.
A few days after Henry’s injury in March, Diacre was fired by the French Football Federation after a player revolt.
Henry, who turns 34 in September, has not played for Lyon in several months following a sprained LCL she sustained in early March.
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Angel City adds Henry to a midfield that also recently welcomed the addition of US international Julie Ertz, who returned from an 18-month absence from the sport following the August 2022 birth of her first child.
“Amandine is a player who has competed at the highest and most competitive levels,” Angel City FC general manager Angela Hucles Mangano said. “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.”
