Lincoln Ladies have shown their intent for the new season by signing England international goalkeeper Karen Bardsley from Swedish club Linköpings.
American-born Bardsley has been playing in America for most of her career before her move to Sweden, however she said: “Well I heard about Lincoln’s interest through a couple of players over the grapevine and things went on from there.
“I’m really excited. I’m just really looking forward to getting over there.”
Bardsley has been capped 24 times by England and featured in all four games at London 2012, including the win against Brazil. She described what it was like playing at such a prestigious event: “It’s hard to explain how that felt playing at the Olympics. It’s something you couldn’t really get across in a short conversation.
“You’d need to properly sit down and talk to someone about how amazing it was.”
Bardsley has already played alongside a number of her current teammates. She explained: “I’ve played with a few of the girls in both the England and GB squads and it will be great to play with them at Lincoln as well.
“Playing with two of England’s best centre backs in front of me, including the England captain, can only mean good things for the national side, as well as Lincoln, and I hope that together we can win trophies.”
Bardsley becomes the fifth England international at the club, alongside international teammates Casey Stoney, Sophie Bradley and Jess Clarke. She is also new manager Keith Boalas’ first signing.
Bardsley admitted that the ex-Charlton manager was one of the pull factors for her move: “It was definitely a bonus as I knew he’d had a lot of success in the past with Charlton and he comes highly recommended by a few people. I’m quite looking forward to working with him and it definitely made the decision to move here a lot easier for me.”
Chief Executive Luke Negus-Hill said: “Karen is a top goalkeeper proven at all levels. This signing is a clear statement of our intention and ambition in the coming years. There is a belief amongst the group of players at this club that we can be right up there challenging for titles, and winning them in the not too distant future.”