PORTLAND, Ore. (July 7, 2026) – The Portland Thorns announced today that Dutch international midfielder Nina Nijstad has signed with the Club through 2029 following a transfer from PSV Eindhoven Vrouwen for an undisclosed fee, pending her P-1 visa and international transfer clearance.
“Nina is an exciting young prospect that we monitored over several months and we are excited to welcome her to Portland as we continue our work to build a team that will fight for an NWSL Championship,” President and General Manager of Soccer Operations Jeff Agoos said. “Nina has a strong ability to contribute effectively on both sides of the ball and has shown high impact potential as she continues breaking into the Netherlands senior national team. We are happy that she chose Portland as the next place to continue her career and we look forward to welcoming her into our environment.”
The 23-year-old arrives in the Rose City after three seasons with PSV where she was a major contributor in 2025/26 to secure the club’s first-ever league trophy and their second consecutive Eredivisie Cup. Nijstad also brings experience competing in top European competitions with PSV, playing high-level matches in UEFA Women’s Champions League Qualifying and the inaugural UEFA Women’s Europa Cup. Nijstad appeared in 76 matches across all competitions for PSV, scoring 14 and assisting 17.
Nijstad developed within the Dutch international youth system and was part of the Netherlands squad that went to the semifinals at the 2022 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. Nijstad made her senior national team debut in a record-breaking 15-0 victory against Indonesia on October 25, 2024, and has gone on to score twice in four appearances.
Nijstad began her professional career in Dutch football at 18-years-old with SC Heerenveen and combined for three goals and five assists in 52 matches through all competitions.
About Portland Thorns
Founded in 2012, the Portland Thorns are a global leader in women’s soccer, defined by unmatched fan support, championship success, and a longstanding commitment to excellence since their inaugural 2013 season. The Thorns have created one of the premier environments in women’s sports at Providence Park, leading the NWSL in average attendance for a league-record ninth time in 2025 and hosting four of the five largest-attended matches during the 2025 season. Portland is the winningest club in NWSL history, capturing a league-record three NWSL Championships (2013, 2017, 2022), two NWSL Shields (2016, 2021), and the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup, while qualifying for the postseason a league-high 11 times. Looking ahead, the club’s investment in the world’s first dual-sport women’s performance center, the Kaiser Permanente Performance Center, set to open in 2026, will foster an environment that champions innovation, elevates athlete development, and enhances elite performance.
PORTLAND, Ore. (July 7, 2026) – The Portland Thorns announced today that Dutch international midfielder Nina Nijstad has signed with the Club through 2029 following a transfer from PSV Eindhoven Vrouwen for an undisclosed fee, pending her P-1 visa and international transfer clearance.
“Nina is an exciting young prospect that we monitored over several months and we are excited to welcome her to Portland as we continue our work to build a team that will fight for an NWSL Championship,” President and General Manager of Soccer Operations Jeff Agoos said. “Nina has a strong ability to contribute effectively on both sides of the ball and has shown high impact potential as she continues breaking into the Netherlands senior national team. We are happy that she chose Portland as the next place to continue her career and we look forward to welcoming her into our environment.”
The 23-year-old arrives in the Rose City after three seasons with PSV where she was a major contributor in 2025/26 to secure the club’s first-ever league trophy and their second consecutive Eredivisie Cup. Nijstad also brings experience competing in top European competitions with PSV, playing high-level matches in UEFA Women’s Champions League Qualifying and the inaugural UEFA Women’s Europa Cup. Nijstad appeared in 76 matches across all competitions for PSV, scoring 14 and assisting 17.
Nijstad developed within the Dutch international youth system and was part of the Netherlands squad that went to the semifinals at the 2022 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. Nijstad made her senior national team debut in a record-breaking 15-0 victory against Indonesia on October 25, 2024, and has gone on to score twice in four appearances.
Nijstad began her professional career in Dutch football at 18-years-old with SC Heerenveen and combined for three goals and five assists in 52 matches through all competitions.
About Portland Thorns
Founded in 2012, the Portland Thorns are a global leader in women’s soccer, defined by unmatched fan support, championship success, and a longstanding commitment to excellence since their inaugural 2013 season. The Thorns have created one of the premier environments in women’s sports at Providence Park, leading the NWSL in average attendance for a league-record ninth time in 2025 and hosting four of the five largest-attended matches during the 2025 season. Portland is the winningest club in NWSL history, capturing a league-record three NWSL Championships (2013, 2017, 2022), two NWSL Shields (2016, 2021), and the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup, while qualifying for the postseason a league-high 11 times. Looking ahead, the club’s investment in the world’s first dual-sport women’s performance center, the Kaiser Permanente Performance Center, set to open in 2026, will foster an environment that champions innovation, elevates athlete development, and enhances elite performance.
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