Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
Alyssa Thompson, who bypassed college to join the American National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) directly from high school, became the first such player to be drafted by Angel City, her hometown team in Los Angeles. Despite this American start, Thompson agreed to terms with Chelsea in late 2025, relocating 5,000 miles to Europe. She cited the opportunity to play in the UEFA Women’s Champions League as a key factor in her decision, noting the competition’s appeal and the chance to experience diverse playing styles across Europe as important for her development.
Thompson’s move is part of a broader trend of international players joining European clubs to compete in the Women’s Champions League. Notable American players include US national team stars Lily Yohannes and Lindsey Heaps at OL Lyon, Arsenal's Emily Fox, and Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce. The United States leads the list with 13 players participating this season, followed by Brazil with ten and Canada with eight.
The presence of players from outside Europe is steadily increasing, with a 29% rise over the past three seasons. These international players have made significant contributions to the competition, scoring 33 goals in the league phase alone. Canadian Roma striker Evelyne Viens was the top scorer in the league phase, netting five goals out of her team’s nine.