Portland Thorns Sign Sarah Robbins

The Portland Thorns continued to add to the roster before the 2015 season by announcing the signing of a new midfielder. Sarah Robbins come to the Thorns from the Finnish club Alan United, where she played in the qualifying rounds of the UEFA Women's Champions League.

Based on Paul Riley's comments in the press release Sara will be playing a defensive midfield role and this will allow other more creative midfielders to focus on the attack.

Here is a highlight video:

Full press release:

PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland Thorns FC have signed midfielder Sarah Robbins, it was announced today. Per league and club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Robbins, 22, appeared in 14 matches, recording three goals and seven assists, for Finnish club Åland United in 2014. The midfielder logged 1,189 minutes for the Naisten Liiga side, and competed in the qualifying round of the 2014-15 UEFA Women's Champions League.

"Sarah is a true holding midfielder with all the qualities required to play in a physical, fast-paced league," said Thorns FC head coach Paul Riley. "She is bright, technical, mobile and tactically very good. She will play an extremely important role that will allow our playmakers to create and attack and also adds a physical, tough, resilient element to our midfield."

On the international level, Robbins has competed with the U-20 Women's Canadian National Team, appearing in three games at the 2012 FIFA U-20  Women's World Cup, while she also spent time playing with Canada's U-23 Women's National Team.

At the University of Kansas from 2009-12, Robbins appeared in 50 career matches for the Jayhawks. She also played with the Laval Comets of the USL W-League from 2009-13, helping guide the club to the league championship match in 2013.

Sarah Robbins

Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-7
Born: July 30, 1992 in Montreal, Quebec
Hometown: Montreal, Quebec
Last Club: Åland United (Finland) 
College: University of Kansas
Citizenship: Canada/United States