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NWSL Portland Thorns FC

Thorns FC Acquire Forward Nadia Nadim, Third Pick in 2016 NWSL College Draft from Sky Blue FC

January 15, 2016 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Portland Thorns FC News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland Thorns FC today announced that the club has acquired Danish international forward Nadia Nadim, the third overall pick in the 2016 NWSL College Draft and a second-round selection in 2017 from Sky Blue FC in exchange for the second overall pick in 2016 and a 2017 first and conditional fourth-round pick. Nadim will be added to the roster pending the receipt of her P-1 visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC). Per league and club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"Nadia is a dynamic goal scorer with great personality and intelligence in how she plays," said Mark Parson, head coach of Thorns FC. "I know the team and fans will love her passion and ability on the field, and she will also be an important person off the field. Bringing Nadia to Portland is a huge accomplishment and I look forward to seeing her impact on the team."

Nadim, 28, made 24 league appearances (23 starts) in her first two NWSL seasons with Sky Blue FC, tallying 13 goals and four assists. The Danish international joined Sky Blue FC on loan in June 2014 from Danish side Fortuna Hjørring and made an immediate impact, scoring seven goals in six games. In 2015, Nadim appeared in 18 matches (all starts), tallying six goals and an assist. Currently on loan with Fortuna Hjørring, Nadim has scored four goals in four matches for the eight-time Elitedivisionen champions.

She began her professional stint with Fortuna Hjørring in 2012 and helped the club win a league title in 2014. Nadim's professional career in Denmark spans more than 10 years as she started her career in 2005 with B52 Aalborg, while it also has included stints with Team Viborg and seven seasons with IK Skovbakken (2006-12). In UEFA Champions League play, Nadim has appeared in 16 matches, across four editions of the tournament, tallying 11 goals. In the 2015-16 edition, Nadim guided Fortuna Hjørring to the Round of 16, tallying four goals in four appearances.

Born in Afghanistan, Nadim fled the country following her father's death and arrived in Denmark with her mother and sisters at the age of 12. She was granted citizenship in Denmark when she turned 18 years old. Nadim made her debut for the Denmark Women's National Team in 2009 and has earned 58 international caps, while scoring 12 goals. In recent international competition at UEFA Women's EURO qualifying, Nadim scored two goals in three appearances.

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