September 11, 2026 (Fort Worth, TX) – TMJ announces today the transfer of Venezuelan Women’s National Team leader and icon Deyna Castellanos from the Portland Thorns to Tigres Femenil in Mexico.
The 27-year-old attacking player joined the Portland Thorns in January 2025, contributing five goals and an assist during her time with the club. Prior to that, Castellanos entered the National Women’s Soccer League with Bay FC in 2024, becoming the highest paid foreign player in the league at the time.
Before arriving to the NWSL, Deyna moved to Manchester City in the Women’s Super League, making over 30 appearances with the club across two seasons. She began her professional career in Spain with Atlético Madrid after foregoing the NWSL College Draft system and went on to score over 25 goals for the club, securing top four finishes in the league, qualifying for the UEFA Champions League and scoring one goal and two assists in the top European competition.
Her collegiate career at Florida State University was impressive, winning the 2018 NCAA Championship, playing in 82 games, scoring 48 goals (the second-most in school history) and providing 22 assists from 2016 to 2019. She was also a three-time All-American and the 2019 ACC Offensive Player and Midfielder of the Year.
Deyna’s participation with the national team started incredibly early with great accolades. Born and raised in Maracay, Venezuela, she helped Venezuela finish fourth at the 2014 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, winning the Golden Boot with six goals. At the 2016 U-17 Women’s World Cup, she contributed to Venezuela’s top four finish, earning both the Bronze Ball and Bronze Boot. In 2017, she was a finalist for the FIFA Best Player of the Year Award. Her stoppage time goal against Cameroon in the U17 World Cup was also nominated for the FIFA Puskas Award for best goal of the year. Deyna also recently scored the equalizing goal for Venezuela against Uruguay in the 2026 CONMEBOL Women’s League of Nations tournament that secured Venezuela a spot in the FIFA intercontinental play-off tournament for the first time ever.
Off the pitch, Deyna is also the founder of the Queen Deyna Program: The Legacy, which has awarded more than 50 academic scholarships, with 85% of recipients receiving full scholarships. A total of $4.6 million has been invested in scholarship benefits, supporting more than 50 athletes from around the world seeking a higher education in the United States. Deyna Castellanos was awarded The 2025 Clio Sports Impact Award for her work with the foundation.
