Earlier today, Seattle Reign FC announced the signing of English international forward Jodie Taylor. Per team and league policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Taylor, who currently plays for Arsenal in the FA Women’s Super League, will join Seattle Reign FC prior to the start of the 2018 National Women’s Soccer League season. Before joining Reign FC in 2018, Taylor is expected to head to Melbourne City as a guest player for the conclusion of their 2017–2018 W-League campaign.
This will be Taylor’s second stint in the NWSL, having spent the 2014 season with the Washington Spirit and 2015 season with the Portland Thorns.
During her time with the Spirit, Taylor made 21 appearances, starting 19, and helped the club reach the NWSL Semifinals for the first time. The forward finished the season with 11 goals, good for most on the team and tied for third best in the league, and tallied two assists.
Taylor was traded to Portland Thorns FC prior to the start of the 2015 NWSL season, where she made seven appearances and scored three goals. The forward then signed with Arsenal in March of 2016. Missing most of the 2016 campaign due to injury, Taylor has made nine total appearances for Arsenal, scoring five goals.
“I am really excited to be joining Reign FC,” said Taylor. “I’ve spent a lot of time playing in America, and I’m really pleased to be coming to Seattle. They’re a top club that I’ve admired, and the core values of the team are quite evident from the outside.”
Internationally, Taylor has become a regular in the Lionesses side. Since making her England debut in 2014, Taylor has made 30 appearances and scored 15 goals. A member of the 2017 EUROs roster, Taylor helped England to the semifinals. The forward led the tournament in goals with five, earning the Golden Boot.
Currently in the midst of Women’s World Cup qualifiers, Taylor has scored once in their lone qualifier so far. Taylor was named to the roster for England’s upcoming qualifiers against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kazakhstan.
“Jodie is a world-class player who will add experience and quality to our attack,” said Seattle Reign FC head coach Vlatko Andonovski. “Throughout her career Taylor has been a consistent goal scorer for club and country, and she has demonstrated she can be a threat that demands a reaction from the competition. We’re excited to add her to the squad.”
