Here's what Utah Royals' two international additions signal about the club

Utah Royals FC made two international additions this week on different ends of their playing careers in New Zealand rising star Macey Fraser and former French star Amandine Henry.

Utah Royals FC made two international additions this week on different ends of their playing careers in New Zealand rising star Macey Fraser and former French star Amandine Henry.

Fraser, 21, is is signed on a multi-year deal with the Royals after spending two seasons of a three-year contract with Wellington Phoenix in Australia’s A-League.

While terms of the fee were undisclosed, the Phoenix said the club “smashed” the previous transfer record for a women’s A-League player.

Back in February, Bay FC reportedly paid $100,000 for Melbourne City goalkeeper Lysianne Proulx. That sum suggests the Royals paid a six-figure transfer fee for the attacking midfielder who helped the Young Football Ferns finish third at the 2018 FIFA U-17 Women’s world cup in Uruguay.

“I think the NWSL is a huge league, and it’s a massive opportunity for me to show myself on a big stage,” Fraser told New Zealand media after her signing. “As a dream, I always dreamed of playing in the big leagues. I didn’t know it would come this soon, though.”

Fraser will join Utah upon approval of her international visa.

The club’s second signee this week has already acclimated to the NWSL and the United States after a brilliant career in Europe.

French midfielder Amandine Henry comes to Utah from Angel City FC on a two-year deal with a club option through 2026 in exchange for $75,000 in allocation money.

The 34-year-old defensive midfielder has been playing football since age 15 in her home country, going on to lead storied club Olympique Lyonnais to nine Division 1 Feminine titles, six Coupe de France Feminine championships, and three UEFA Women’s Champions League titles.

Henry started in three of the four matches she appeared in for Angel City, ranking in the 99th percentile in the league in progressive passes, carries and aerial duels won. She also ranks among the NWSL’s beset in interceptions.

Prior to her time in Los Angeles, Henry played two seasons in Portland, making 33 appearances and helping the Thorns win the NWSL championship. She returned to Lyon in 2017, where she won four league titles two Coupe championships, and four more Champions League finishes through 2023.

"Amandine brings a wealth of experience as a player with a champion's mindset. Her professional accomplishments speak for themselves, but her personality and leadership qualities will be invaluable as we continue to shape our identity here in Utah." Utah sporting director Kelly Cousins said. "We are excited to welcome such a decorated athlete to our club and look forward to seeing her on the pitch in Royal colors."

She’s got a strong chip shot, too.

Both players signal a willingness to spend to improve a squad that ranks among the lowest in the league for offense in its first year back since 2020. The Royals have scored three goals through Saturday’s match at Racing Louisville (3 p.m. MT, NWSL+ and KMYU), the third-fewest in the NWSL and just one more than Gotham FC and the San Diego Wave.

It’s still early in the competition — only four games in, with Gotham a game in hand and most teams having completed as many matches as Utah — but the lack of offense is clearly a concern.

Now the Royals are doing something to address it, with a two-way midfielder in Henry and young attacking talent in Fraser. And they aren’t afraid to pay for it.

“Honestly, I think we just need more fluidity between our lines: from our defense to our midfield to our forwards,” Royals captain Paige Monaghan said earlier this week. “When we work as a team. Now it’s about working as a unit more often, both attacking and defending.”

Added Fraser: “Hopefully I can get in there and make an impact. I’m going to have to work my way into the team, work hard and get off the bench.”