After losing several U.S. stars overseas in recent years, the National Women’s Soccer League welcomed one back Monday.
Lindsey Heaps, the national team captain, is returning stateside after four years in France, signing a four-year contract with the expansion Denver Summit. Terms were not disclosed.
The Colorado native will join her new team after completing her tenure with OL Lyonnes in May.
“This club represents something special, not just for the league, but for this community and for the next generation of players growing up here,” Heaps said. “I’m fully committed to finishing the season strong with Lyon, and I can’t wait to begin this next chapter in Denver this summer.”
Heaps, who will turn 32 in May, has spent her entire career in France and the NWSL, signing with Paris Saint-Germain out of high school, then moving to the Portland Thorns and Lyonnes. She won the NWSL championship in 2017 and was the league MVP the following season.
Her return comes as the NWSL is attempting to retain U.S. standout Trinity Rodman, a highly sought free-agent forward from the Washington Spirit. This winter, the league loosened its salary-cap guidelines to allow teams greater flexibility to sign high-end players. It was not initially clear whether Heaps’ contract falls under the new rule.
Heaps’ return would buck a trend of U.S. players heading abroad, a group that includes Chelsea’s Naomi Girma, Catarina Macario and Alyssa Thompson; Arsenal’s Emily Fox, Aston Villa’s Jenna Nighswonger; PSG’s Crystal Dunn; and Lyonnes’ Lily Yohannes and Korbin Shrader.
Also, Portland reportedly is in the process of selling U.S. midfielder Sam Coffey to Manchester City.
Heaps — from Golden, Colorado, 15 miles west of Denver — will become the centerpiece of Summit, which will accompany Boston Legacy as newcomers in the 13-year-old league. Their additions increases the number of teams to 16.
“She represents the very highest level of excellence as a player, a leader and a professional,” Summit general manager Curt Johnson said. “To welcome her back home to Colorado and to have her help shape the identity of this club is incredibly meaningful.”
Heaps has been with the national team since 2013, totaling 170 appearances and 38 goals. She is a World Cup and Olympic champion, in 2019 and 2024, respectively.
At Lyonnes, Heaps has scored 31 goals and been part of four league championships, plus the 2021-22 UEFA Women’s Champions League trophy. This season, the club has won all 11 league matches by a 49-5 scoring margin and is 5-0-1 in the Champions League.
“Lindsey will bring a world-class level to our team and represents the ambition of this club on-and-off the field,” Summit Coach Nick Cushing said.
Summit investors include Olympic skier Mikaela Shiffrin and Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning.
The team plans to build a 14,500-seat stadium near downtown Denver in time for the 2028 season. Until then, it will make its home debut March 28 at Empower Field at Mile High (the NFL stadium) before settling into a temporary venue in Centennial, a suburb south of Denver.
