Portland Thorns make bold defensive move with experienced international signing | OneFootball

The signing of Daiane, the Brazilian defender from Flamengo in Brazil, on a contract running through 2026, surprisingly came out from Portland Thorns FC. Daiane's arrival with a lot of international experience has been strategic on the part of the club management to strengthen the key position and raise the team's competitive level.

At 27 years of age, the defender gets to the NWSL with a pretty solid resume, having played in the first divisions of Brazil, France, Norway, and Spain.

International experience

Daiane is not a stranger to international experience. The Brazilian has played major clubs like Real Madrid, Madrid CFF, and Paris Saint-Germain with great experience in competitive leagues.

During the 2018/19 season, she was part of PSG's squad, where she featured in nine matches to help them finish as runners-up in the Division 1 Féminine. In Spain, she played for Real Madrid between 2019 and 2021, making 16 appearances and playing a key role in their second-place finish in the 2020/21 Liga F.

After her spell with the Spanish giants, Daiane moved to Madrid CFF, where she started 19 matches. She began her journey in Norway with Avaldsnes IL, where she made 29 appearances and was instrumental in winning the club's first Norwegian Women's Cup. Every country presented a different challenge, and these experiences were what helped Daiane grow as an athlete.

Flamengo and the Brazilian national team

After her successful time in Europe, Daiane got back to Brazil to take a chance with Flamengo, where she had nice moments. Over three full seasons with the Rubro-Negro, she played in 30 matches, helping secure the 2023 and 2024 Campeonato Carioca, and 2024 Copa Rio with two consecutive titles.

Her time at Flamengo was much more than a homecoming. She proved she still had much to offer, showcasing her international experience as an asset to Brazilian soccer.

Internationally, Daiane has gained 12 caps with the Brazilian national team. She made her full debut in 2018 in the Copa América Feminina, playing a part in the 7-0 victory over Bolivia.

In 2019, she played for Brazil in the FIFA Women's World Cup and came on as a substitute in the 3-0 win over Jamaica.

Daiane's signing is a strategic one for Portland Thorns

Portland Thorns had to sign a defender who would bring experience and leadership into the team and who could give them defensive stability in the squad. The NWSL is a physically and technically demanding league that requires the players to be up for the pace of the competition.

Head coach Rob Gale emphasized that Daiane’s signing directly addresses the team’s needs: “She adds quality and depth to a position of need.”