In the first of what is likely several similar moves, the Portland Thorns have loaned midfielder Amber Brooks to FC Bayern Munich of Germany's Frauen-Bundesliga, the team announced today.
Brooks, 23, will join the German side for the majority of the European season, then return to the Thorns prior to the 2015 NWSL season.
She made 19 starts for the Thorns, scoring 1 goal and 2 assists.
Brooks previously played for Bayern from 2013-2014, playing parts of two seasons (2012-13, 2013-14), appearing in 22 matches and scoring 10 goals, before joining the Thorns prior to the 2014 season. She joined the German side after completing her collegiate career by winning the 2012 NCAA National Tournament while a member of the North Carolina Tar Heels.
Brooks has been capped once by the senior United States Women's National Team after appearing at the U-17, U-20, and U-23 levels.
Brooks becomes the second member of the 2014 Thorns squad to join a German side. Midfielder Vero Boquete joined 1. FFC Frankfurt and is "hopeful" to return to the Thorns for next season.
Thorns Press Release below-
THORNS FC LOAN MIDFIELDER AMBER BROOKS TO GERMAN CLUB FC BAYERN MUNICH
Brooks will return to Portland prior to the start of 2015 NWSL seasonPORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC today announced that the club has loaned midfielder Amber Brooks to German club FC Bayern Munich.Brooks, 23, appeared in 20 regular-season matches (19 starts) for Thorns FC in 2014, recording a goal and two assists. She made her debut for Portland on April 12 in a 1-0 win on the road against the Houston Dash, starting and playing all 90 minutes.Portland’s third-round pick (24th overall) in the 2013 NWSL College Draft from the University of North Carolina, Brooks joined Thorns FC after playing parts of two seasons (2012-13, 2013-14) for FC Bayern Munich. She tallied 10 goals in 22 appearances in all competitions with the Frauen Bundesliga club prior to joining Thorns FC.Brooks will return to Portland ahead of the 2015 NWSL season.