A USWNT regular, Thompson signed for the Blues on Friday, putting pen to paper on a deal until 2030. Although the forward didn’t feature during our WSL-opening victory against Manchester City on Friday evening, Sonia recognises Alyssa’s quality.

‘Alyssa is a player who will have a big impact on the team,’ Sonia said, speaking during her post-match press conference following victory at the Bridge.

‘I think it's important for us to have depth, but also to have healthy competition in the squad. We already planned earlier in the transfer window to bring her into the squad, so it took quite a long time, but I'm really pleased.’

Thompson became the youngest player ever to be drafted into the NWSL when she signed with Angel City in 2023.

She was also the number one draft pick and the first player to enter the league straight from high school, and was quickly named Gatorade National Player of the Year as a sophomore after recording 48 goals and 14 assists in 17 games.

Her first senior international appearance came in October 2022, before she had even been drafted, coming on for Megan Rapinoe at a sold-out Wembley Stadium. She has since become a regular in the USWNT set-up, with 22 caps won and three goals scored, departing Angel City having netted 15 times in 63 appearances.

Bompastor continued: ‘I know her quality, I know what she can bring to the team, and I'm sure she will continue to have success and also impact our performances and results. She's a great player, a great person, so I'm really pleased she's with us.’