Hina Sugita signs extension through 2026

Hina Hive, get up! She's staying in Portland through 2026!

Credit: Portland Thorns FC

Portland Thorns FC have signed Hina Sugita to a contract extension through 2026.

General Manager Karina LeBlanc
“We are thrilled Hina has chosen to sign a long-term contract in Portland. It demonstrates her commitment to the club and community and solidifies her as part of the Thorns family for years to come. Hina’s obviously a special talent and adds a unique flare to our style of play. We are lucky to have a player of her caliber and character on the roster.”

Head Coach Mike Norris

“Hina has had a massively positive impact for us in her two years here, not only on the field but also off the field. We are over the moon that she has committed her longer-term future with us. She has not only adapted extremely well to our team, she also continues to set new standards for what it means to be a Thorn. Hina’s tireless work rate coupled with her fantastic technical fluidity make her a great asset to our team and also a fan favorite.”

Hina Sugita, 26, joined Thorns FC ahead of the 2022 season from Japanese side INAC Kobe Leonessa. In two seasons with the club, Sugita has recorded 13 goals and seven assists in 48 appearances (41 starts) across all NWSL competitions. The Japanese midfielder is one of four Thorns FC players to have tallied multiple goals and assists in each of the last two seasons.

At the senior international level, Sugita has made 46 appearances (including the 2023 World Cup) for Japan, tallying three goals.

For more information, please see the club statement.

Impact

Even with the departure of Crystal Dunn, Portland Thorns possess one of the best midfields in Hina Sugita, Rocky Rodriguez, Olivia Moultrie, and Sam Coffey. Although under Norris, Sugita played more of a hybrid midfield/winger role, she still was consistently one of team’s best players. Her transition to the NWSL was quite seamless. In a 4-3-3 under Rhian Wilkinson, her partnership with Rodriguez and Coffey was the key to dominating in 2022. There isn’t a role she can’t get done.

Since joining Thorns FC, Sugita ranks in the top four amongst all Portland Thorns players in duels won (190), tackles won (47), chances created (65) and dribbles completed (43). She also has kept the best passing accuracy rate (81.95) of all midfielders and forwards on Thorns FC over the last two seasons combined.

The issue going into 2024 is if the team can be more consistent. The logjam at midfield has cleared up quite a bit and should allow all four to play the bulk of the minutes with Christine Sinclair and Taylor Porter spelling them.

Hina Hive

In a short amount of time, Hina Sugita has quickly become a fan favorite. Her ability to navigate out of tight windows, find insane passes, dribbling, creativity, and magic is unmatched. However, her presence on the pitch has been ginormous, but off of it too. Sugita has made an impact in the community and continues to be a bright light in the world.

There aren’t any players who can do what she can and luckily for Portland Thorns fans, that is going to last through 2026.