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PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) - The brightest young star in American soccer will continue to call Portland home as Sophia Smith on Wednesday signed a contract extension to remain with the Thorns.

The 23-year-old from Colorado and U.S. National Team superstar became the most financially compensated player annually in the NWSL. It’s a raise and a reward for all Smith has been and will continue to be.

She’ll remain with PTFC through 2025 and has a player option for 2026 as well.

Smith is the first major commitment for new club ownership, California-based Raj Sports and Lisa Bhathal.

Smith took to ESPN to spread the love on how the belief and passion of the club and the fans have for her and this team are unlike any else she’d find. A career turn in Europe - maybe one day - but that’s not for the here and now as the Thorns chase down a fourth championship star to add to their kit.

“I do believe the NWSL is, if not the best, one of the best leagues in the world,” Smith said. “I think it doesn’t get enough credit for how hard it is to play in this league. I know there is a lot of talk of how certain people need to go overseas and I think there is great benefits in going overseas, it’s a completely different type of test. I feel like the NWSL is a test in itself and it’s a hard league to play in. I feel like I’ve just grown as a player and a person for five years now and I feel like I can still grow so much in this league.”

Smith has more goals to achieve and records to break.

Her 43 career goal contributions, that’s scoring and assists, are the most by anyone in the league since she arrived as the No. 1 draft pick out of Stanford in 2020.

The 2023 NWSL Golden Boot winner already has two goals in her bag this season with that opening brace on the road. If it weren’t for a video review, she’d have had at least another last Sunday.

Smith looks for her first at home as PTFC remains at Providence Park on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. for Women’s History Night against Louisville.