Seattle Reign announced on Tuesday that the club has re-signed Lauren Barnes for the 2025 season. The 35-year-old defender and Reign original returns to Seattle for her 13th season with the club.

Barnes currently has the league record for the most appearances (232), starts (224), and minutes (19,795). She was the first player in league history to reach 200 games played. When the 2025 season kicks off, she’ll join Jess Fishlock as the only two players to feature for the same club since the league launched in 2013.

“I’m thrilled to sign a new contract with the Reign, a place that has been my home since I first joined the club in 2013,” said Barnes in a team release. “This club means so much to me – not just for what we’ve accomplished on the field but for the impact we’ve been able to make in the community. I’m proud to continue this journey with my teammates, our incredible fans and the city I love. Together, we’re building something special, and I’m excited for what’s ahead.”

The team’s long-time captain will continue to be a veteran presence in the locker room and on the soccer field, helping provide leadership to an increasingly young roster. Playing both centerback and left back over the years, Barnes has been a key figure on the Reign’s defense, which has been one of the stingiest in the league until last year. In 2016, Barnes was named NWSL Defender of the Year – helping the Reign earn eight clean sheets in their 20-game season and set a new NWSL record for consecutive shutouts (5).

She was named to the NWSL Best XI First Team in 2015 and 2016 and earned Best XI Second Team honors in 2014 and 2019. In three separate years (2019, 2022, and 2023), Barnes finished the NWSL season in the top 10 in the number of dribblers tackled. She also was in the top five in interceptions in 2023. As one of the core leaders on the team, Barnes has helped the Reign earn three NWSL Shields (2014, 2015, 2022), advance to three NWSL finals (2014, 2015, 2023), and play in seven NWSL semifinal matches.

“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Lu Barnes back to the Reign this season,” said Reign General Manager Lesle Gallimore. “From the very beginning, Lu has been the heart and soul of this club, and her legacy here is unparalleled. As a world-class defender and leader in the NWSL, her influence extends far beyond the field. We are excited to see the immense impact she will continue to have on our team and the Reign community this season.” 

In addition to her strong defensive chops, Barnes has been important to how the Reign builds their attack from the backline. Last year, the Reign struggled to break down presses, which has been one of Barnes’ strengths in the NWSL. In 2023, for example, she completed the third-most passes into the final third and had the seventh-most touches. While it doesn’t always show up in stats this clearly, this is a truly underrated part of Barnes’ skillset.

While Barnes dealt with injuries and health challenges in 2024, she still played nearly 1,500 minutes and made 21 appearances. As June/Ash Eden highlighted in the 2024 Valkyratings, like many Reign players last season, Barnes had mixed performances throughout the year. She has great field vision and is often the one communicating with and leading the backline, but she was prone to a few costly mistakes. While Barnes might not be a regular starter in 2025, she should continue to provide veteran leadership and mentor young defenders like Jordyn Bugg.

The club veteran has also established important roots in the region. She’s been active in environmental efforts in the Pacific Northwest and other community outreach activities led by the Reign and Seattle Sounders. Last fall, she joined current and former Reign teammates Olivia Van der Jagt, Fishlock, and Sam Hiatt in becoming part of the ownership group of Salmon Bay FC, Ballard’s new pre-professional women’s soccer team that will compete in the USL W League this spring.

The Reign captain has been involved in several other community efforts. Barnes has pledged 1% of her salary toward Common Goal to fund the growth and development of Football For Her, a California-based nonprofit that provides safe spaces for youth who identify as female or nonbinary to play soccer. She also works with Players for the Planet, an organization of professional athletes who are striving to make a difference by eliminating plastic, creating recycling initiatives and prioritizing conservation efforts.

The California native attended UCLA (2007-10), where she started in 95 of 97 games played and led the Bruins in assists in back-to-back seasons as a junior and senior.