The Portland Thorns have officially signed Venezuelan international Deyna Castellanos, securing her services through 2026, with an option for the club to extend her contract into 2027.
Previously, Castellanos played for the expansion team Bay FC during the last season. After mutual discussions, she and the club agreed to part ways, leaving the 25-year-old midfielder available as a free agent.
Expressing her excitement about the new opportunity, Castellanos stated, “Portland was definitely one of the top choices for me. I’m thrilled to officially be a part of the club now. This marks new beginnings, and I’m really looking forward to coming here and shining.” Her enthusiasm comes ahead of the official announcement by the Thorns, which was expected on Friday.
Castellanos joined Bay FC after a transfer from Manchester City, where she played for two seasons. During her time with Bay FC, she participated in 25 matches, starting in 12 of them, contributing two goals and one assist along the way.
Before her stint in the United States, Castellanos played in Spain for Atlético Madrid. In her international career with the Venezuelan national team, she has made 38 appearances, delivering an impressive tally of 22 goals and 15 assists.
Thorns coach Rob Gale expressed enthusiasm about integrating Castellanos into the team, noting, “We are eager to welcome Deyna to the Thorns. She possesses attributes that we believe we can further develop within our program. We look forward to challenging her in this next phase of her career and having her contribute to our club’s goals.”
A notable advocate for women’s soccer, Castellanos has established the Queen Deyna Program, which aims to assist young athletes, particularly from her native Venezuela and other Latin American nations, in pursuing college education. She highlighted that the initiative has already aided 44 players in reaching their educational aspirations.
During her collegiate career at Florida State, Castellanos was part of the team that clinched the national championship in 2018. Over the course of her time with the Seminoles, she recorded 47 goals in 77 appearances, solidifying her status as a prominent player.
