Adriana Leon joins Portland Thorns on loan from Man Utd
Manchester United forward Adriana Leon has joined NWSL team Portland Thorns on a short-term loan until the end of June.
Leon only signed with United last summer after spending the previous three seasons at West Ham. But the Canada international struggled to establish herself in Manchester and hasn’t started a single WSL game during her time with the club.
Overall, the 30-year-old scored three times in nine appearances for United in all competitions.
“An opportunity was presented to us to bring Adriana to Portland, and we believe this is a move that is beneficial for both the club and Adriana,” said Thorns general manager Karina LeBlanc.
“She wants to be here and take advantage of the opportunity in a competitive environment ahead of the World Cup. Adriana has the ability to make an impact as we strengthen this special group with her talent to help continue to push us forward.”
The move stands to give Leon the chance of more regular playing time ahead of the 2023 World Cup that begins in July. She remains an important member of the Canada squad going into the tournament with high expectations after winning Olympic gold in 2021.
Leon remains under contract with Manchester United until 2024.
The player had told Canadian broadcaster TSN upon joining the club last summer that a phone call with manager Marc Skinner had convinced her United was the right move for her.
“After speaking to him and listening to him on his coaching philosophy and the way that he wants his team to play, I just felt that it aligned perfectly with my ambitions. After that call, I knew that I wanted to be a United player,” she said at the time.
Asked in February about Leon’s lack of chances, Skinner praised her ability but suggested she hadn’t fully adapted to his preferred style play, in addition to fierce competition for places.
“Adriana has lot of attributes but has to start putting them into consistent practice. She’s a very good player and that is why she is at Manchester United,” he explained.