US International midfielder Rose Lavelle has become the latest player to sign for Manchester City after Sam Mewis signed last week.
The announcement comes just over a week after news emerged that fellow US international midfielder Sam Mewis would be coming to the WSL with City after penning what is believed to be a one year deal with an option for a further year.
Ohio native Lavelle, 25, will be handed the number 21 shirt and joins immediately from OL Reign – formerly known as Reign FC – after two years with Washington Spirit where she was named in the 2019 National Women’s Soccer League Best XI and 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup Best XI.
Lavelle also has 45 senior caps for the US Women’s National Team, scoring 12 times and was named the third best player at the 2019 Women’s World Cup behind fellow US player Megan Rapinoe and England’s Lucy Bronze.
Her international career started in March 2017 with a game against England in the Shebelieves Cup and Lavelle also scored in the final in the 2-0 win over the Netherlands.
Speaking about her move, Lavelle said: “I’m so excited to join Manchester City and I can’t wait to play alongside some really talented players.
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity of playing in England and competing in the Champions League.
“After talking with Gareth [Taylor] about the team and how he saw me fitting in, it seemed like a great environment that would really push and develop me as a player.
“I’ve heard amazing things about the Club and it just felt like a really good fit overall. I want to challenge myself and feel that Manchester City is the perfect environment to do so and hopefully, I’ll find some success along the way.”
Head Coach Gareth Taylor said: “We’re thrilled to have secured Rose’s services – with her impressive back catalogue, she is an incredibly exciting player and one we’re all looking forward to working with.
“Her endless accolades for both club and country are proof of what a talent she is and she’s exactly the kind of player we want here at City, with her ambitions and desire for success matching our own.
“I’m extremely excited to see her make her mark on the Barclays FA Women’s Super League this season in what will hopefully be a successful campaign for Manchester City Women.”
Gavin Makel, Head of Women’s Football, added: “Over the last few years, we have followed Rose’s career with huge interest and watched her grow into one of the best attacking midfielders in the world.
“She is a highly technical and intellectual player who will give us another threat in the attacking third, and who will further strengthen the squad that we already have in place.
“I’m extremely pleased with our recruitment so far this summer and Rose’s signing is another example of our intentions with the league becoming more competitive.
“I’m sure our fans will be just as excited as I am for the start of the season and we cannot wait to get going.”