Portland Thorns sign Portuguese forward Ana Dias

Ana Dias of Portugal during the International Women's Friendly match between Portugal and South Korea at Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota on Feb. 27, 2024, in Estoril, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)

Ana Dias of Portugal during the International Women's Friendly match between Portugal and South Korea at Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota on Feb. 27, 2024, in Estoril, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)Getty Images

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The Portland Thorns added another weapon to their arsenal of forwards on Wednesday, signing Portuguese striker Ana Dias for the 2024 season with a mutual option for 2025.

Dias, 26, has spent the past three seasons playing for ZFK Zenit in St. Petersburg, Russia. She scored 36 goals in 70 appearances with Zenit and helped the club win the Russia women’s championship in 2022. Dias also has seven caps with the Portugal women’s national team.

“Ana has been a consistent and proven goal scorer the past couple of seasons,” Thorns coach Mike Norris said in a statement, “and these goals have come in a variety of forms and make Ana a very dynamic forward both in and out of possession.”

Before her stint with Zenit, Dias played for Portuguese teams GDC A-dos-Francos and UR Cadima.

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“It’s exciting to add a player of Ana’s caliber to our roster,” Thorns general manager and president of soccer operations Karina LeBlanc said in a statement. “Her professional experience abroad will bring another element to our squad, which is exciting for us. Her personal goals and ambitions align perfectly with what we hope to do as a club.”

Dias’ signing comes just four days before Portland is set to face NJ/NY Gotham FC at 4 p.m. Sunday in the Thorns’ home opener (ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes).

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