Jessie Fleming leaves Chelsea for Portland Thorns in £250,000 deal -'Good opportunity at right time'

Chelsea’s Jessie Fleming has revealed a move to join National Women’s Soccer League club Portland Thorns was too good an opportunity to turn down.

The Canada star leaves London for a reported fee of £250,000 having won three Women's Super League (WSL) titles, three Women's FA Cups and the League Cup with Chelsea.

Fleming, who has 123 caps with her nation, joined the Blues from UCLA Bruins in 2020.

“I love Chelsea, I love my team-mates, and I feel like I took so much learning away from that experience,” Fleming told The Athletic.

“But for me, this felt like a good opportunity at the right time to hopefully play a bigger, more consistent role for a club, and a good step for me to continue to grow my game.”

Fleming scored in the 2021 final as Canada overcame Sweden on a penalty shootout to win Olympic gold in Tokyo.

“To be a part of a team that has a really successful history in the NWSL, and there’s a lot of players on the team, especially in the midfield, that I’m super stoked to play with and grow with,” she continued.

“And being Canadian, having the opportunity to play a bit closer to Canada and closer to my family is also another massive bonus for me. I’m just ready to get to work.”

Portland's season begins on March 16.

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