ORLANDO, Fla. (July 8, 2021) — Orlando Pride has bolstered its attacking options, signing English forward Jodie Taylor, it was announced today. Taylor, whose rights were acquired by the Pride in February from the North Carolina Courage, comes to Orlando on a deal through the end of the 2021 National Women’s Soccer League season.
Taylor, 35, joins the Pride after competing with French powerhouse Olympique Lyon during the 2020-21 Division 1 Féminine season. After joining Lyon in August 2020 via transfer from OL Reign, Taylor appeared in the 2020 UEFA Women’s Champions League Final, coming on to help Lyon secure the trophy in a 3-1 win over VfL Wolfsburg. In the 2020-21 season, Taylor made six league appearances for the side, scoring one goal in that time. Additionally, Taylor appeared in both of Lyon’s Round of 32 Champions League wins over Juventus. “Jodie
is a proven goalscorer and has carried that across every club and every league she's played for and in, and the value of her experience and professionalism is immeasurable,” Orlando Pride General Manager Ian Fleming said. “The day-to-day impact of having a player of her caliber in the squad will be a lift to our entire group as we continue to march toward our objectives for this season. We're happy to be able to welcome Jodie back to the NWSL following her year in France, and excited that she will be a member of the Pride.”
Prior to heading to France, Taylor spent the 2018-20 NWSL seasons with the Reign. Over those campaigns, the Birkenhead, England, native made 47 appearances with 14 goals and four assists. Following the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup, Taylor’s rights were traded to the Courage. Taylor first joined the NWSL in 2014, making 21 appearances and scoring 11 goals for the Washington Spirit before being traded to the Portland Thorns the following year. In that 2015 season, Taylor recorded three goals over seven appearances.
In addition to her time stateside, Taylor has extensive experience in England’s Women’s Super League (WSL) and Australia’s W-League. The majority of Taylor’s career in her home country was spent over two seasons with Arsenal, where she scored 10 times in 17 games, while she also spent time earlier in her career with Birmingham City.
Taylor started her Australian career with Melbourne Victory in 2010, totaling 12 goals in 21 appearances across two seasons. Later in her career, Taylor played for Sydney FC as well as Melbourne City, winning the 2017-18 Grand Final with City. The veteran’s career has also seen her spend time in Sweden and, early on, the U.S.-based USL W-League.
Internationally, Taylor has had a lengthy career with the England national team, earning 48 caps for the Lionesses, including being a member of the nation’s 2015 and 2019 Women’s World Cup and 2017 UEFA Women’s Euro squads. The forward made her debut on Aug. 3, 2014 and, in March 2015, scored her first goals in style - a hat trick in the Cypress Cup against Australia.
Taylor graduated from Oregon State University, ending a Hall of Fame career with Freshman All-American honors, a four-time Pac-10 First Team selection and three All-Region nods. Taylor currently holds the Beavers’ career record for six different categories including points (113), goals (47), game-winning goals (18), multi-goal games (10), multi-assist games (6) and shots (269), and sits third all-time in assists (19).
Orlando returns to action on Friday night, hosting Racing Louisville FC at 7 p.m. ET at Exploria Stadium. Tickets are available at Orlando-Pride.com or by calling (855) ORL-CITY.
Jodie Taylor
Position: Forward
Number: 9
Height: 5-6
Born: May 17, 1986 in Birkenhead, England
Hometown: Birkenhead, England
College: Oregon State University
Citizenship: England / USA
