Lindsey Horan is staying in France with Lyon, sources briefed on her new agreement but not authorized to speak about it before the official announcement told The Athletic.
The paperwork is complete with an official announcement expected soon.
The move is not an unexpected one, as Lyon head coach Sonia Bompastor had previously said she would remain with the team after the conclusion of her loan in June.
Horan signed a contract extension with Portland through the 2025 NWSL season at the time of her original loan, but the sources did not disclose the transfer fee involved for Lyon to keep Horan in France — though presumably the team could spend some of that money to help shore up their midfield depth with her exit from the team.
A spokesperson for the Thorns could not be reached for comment.
Portland had already adapted around Horan’s absence following the loan in January 2022. The most direct move they made immediately following that announcement was signing Japanese international Hina Sugita, who can swing between the midfield and the forward line on the right side, but the team has also relied on Crystal Dunn and Christine Sinclair for their attacking playmaking.
Horan’s playing time and goalscoring increased for Lyon during the 2022-2023 season, in which they won their league title as well as the Coupe de France over PSG, though exited their Champions League campaign far earlier than expected in the quarterfinals to Chelsea. Across all competitions this past season, Horan scored six goals and added three assists.
Ahead of that quarterfinal match-up against Chelsea, Horan said of her time in France, “There are few American players playing abroad. For most it’s a big cultural shock when they arrive, for me too at PSG it was quite unique. I wanted to take up a challenge. OL are among the best clubs, this club has helped me grow. I am very grateful to the club for giving me this opportunity.”
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