PORTLAND, Ore. (March 12, 2025) – Portland Thorns FC announced today that it has signed forward Caiya Hanks to a four-year contract through 2028 with a club option for 2029.
“We are excited that Caiya has chosen to start her professional career in Portland,” Thorns President and General Manager, Soccer Operations Jeff Agoos said. “As we look towards the future, we believe her pace, positioning, and finishing qualities exemplify an attacking style of play that we are working to build on. We look forward to her development and contributions for the Thorns.”
Hanks, 20, arrives in Portland after a historic 2024 campaign at Wake Forest University, leading the Demon Deacons in goals (11), assists (12) and points (34) on their path to the 2024 NCAA DI Women’s Soccer National Championship, the program’s first ever appearance in a NCAA final. Following the conclusion of her standout 2024 season, Hanks was recognized as one of the country’s top female college soccer athletes and earned a finalist nomination for the 2024 MAC Hermann Trophy.
Hanks’ high-level talent and skill helped her earn several other notable accolades in her three years at Wake Forest, including the 2024 All-ACC First Team, 2022 All-ACC Freshman Team and 2023 All-ACC Second Team. In 63 matches played for the Demon Deacons, Hanks scored 18 and assisted 19 (registering 55 points) in 61 starts across 4,486 minutes played.
The Thorns’ 2025 roster as it stands can be found below by position.
Players on the season-ending injury list or on maternity leave do not hold an active roster spot for the 2025 season.
Goalkeepers (3): Mackenzie Arnold (INTL), Bella Bixby, Morgan Messner
Defenders (6): Daiane (INTL), Sam Hiatt, Isabella Obaze (INTL), Jayden Perry, Reyna Reyes, Kaitlyn Torpey (INTL); Marie Müller (SEI), Nicole Payne (SEI)
Midfielders (7): Carissa Boeckmann, Sam Coffey, Jessie Fleming (INTL), Sophie Hirst, Mallie McKenzie, Olivia Moultrie, Hina Sugita (INTL); Olivia Wade-Kato (SEI)
Forwards (6): Deyna Castellanos, Caiya Hanks, Payton Linnehan, Alexa Spaanstra, Pietra Tordin, Reilyn Turner; Sophia Wilson (Maternity Leave) Morgan Weaver (SEI)
The Thorns are set to begin the 2025 NWSL season at Kansas City Current on Saturday, March 15 (set to kickoff at 9:45 a.m. PT on ABC) before returning to Portland for their home opener at Providence Park against Angel City FC on Friday, March 21 at 7:00 p.m. PT.
Fans interested in purchasing Thorns FC Annual Memberships for the 2025 season are encouraged to call the ticket office at 503.509.5555, email members@thorns.com or visit thorns.com/tickets for more information.
For Media Inquiries, please contact:
Alberto Huichapa
Communications Manager
ahuichapa@thorns.com
PORTLAND, Ore. (March 12, 2025) – Portland Thorns FC announced today that it has signed forward Caiya Hanks to a four-year contract through 2028 with a club option for 2029.
“We are excited that Caiya has chosen to start her professional career in Portland,” Thorns President and General Manager, Soccer Operations Jeff Agoos said. “As we look towards the future, we believe her pace, positioning, and finishing qualities exemplify an attacking style of play that we are working to build on. We look forward to her development and contributions for the Thorns.”
Hanks, 20, arrives in Portland after a historic 2024 campaign at Wake Forest University, leading the Demon Deacons in goals (11), assists (12) and points (34) on their path to the 2024 NCAA DI Women’s Soccer National Championship, the program’s first ever appearance in a NCAA final. Following the conclusion of her standout 2024 season, Hanks was recognized as one of the country’s top female college soccer athletes and earned a finalist nomination for the 2024 MAC Hermann Trophy.
Hanks’ high-level talent and skill helped her earn several other notable accolades in her three years at Wake Forest, including the 2024 All-ACC First Team, 2022 All-ACC Freshman Team and 2023 All-ACC Second Team. In 63 matches played for the Demon Deacons, Hanks scored 18 and assisted 19 (registering 55 points) in 61 starts across 4,486 minutes played.
The Thorns’ 2025 roster as it stands can be found below by position.
Players on the season-ending injury list or on maternity leave do not hold an active roster spot for the 2025 season.
Goalkeepers (3): Mackenzie Arnold (INTL), Bella Bixby, Morgan Messner
Defenders (6): Daiane (INTL), Sam Hiatt, Isabella Obaze (INTL), Jayden Perry, Reyna Reyes, Kaitlyn Torpey (INTL); Marie Müller (SEI), Nicole Payne (SEI)
Midfielders (7): Carissa Boeckmann, Sam Coffey, Jessie Fleming (INTL), Sophie Hirst, Mallie McKenzie, Olivia Moultrie, Hina Sugita (INTL); Olivia Wade-Kato (SEI)
Forwards (6): Deyna Castellanos, Caiya Hanks, Payton Linnehan, Alexa Spaanstra, Pietra Tordin, Reilyn Turner; Sophia Wilson (Maternity Leave) Morgan Weaver (SEI)
The Thorns are set to begin the 2025 NWSL season at Kansas City Current on Saturday, March 15 (set to kickoff at 9:45 a.m. PT on ABC) before returning to Portland for their home opener at Providence Park against Angel City FC on Friday, March 21 at 7:00 p.m. PT.
Fans interested in purchasing Thorns FC Annual Memberships for the 2025 season are encouraged to call the ticket office at 503.509.5555, email members@thorns.com or visit thorns.com/tickets for more information.
For Media Inquiries, please contact:
Alberto Huichapa
Communications Manager
ahuichapa@thorns.com
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