Man Utd Women Announce Signing of England International Lucy Staniforth

Manchester United Women have confirmed the signing of experienced England international midfielder Lucy Staniforth following her departure from Birmingham.

Staniforth has signed a two-year contract with United as the club looks to build on an impressive debut season in the Women’s Super League. She has previous WSL experience from spells at Lincoln, Bristol Academy, Liverpool and Sunderland, prior to joining Birmingham in 2018.

United finished fourth in the abandoned 2019/20 season and it is hoped Staniforth will add quality and depth to an already strong midfield in order to start bridging the gap to the WSL ‘Big Three’ – Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal.

“I’m really happy to have signed with Manchester United,” Staniforth told the club’s official website.

“It’s the biggest club in the world and I’m so proud to be part of it. I’ve been impressed with the performances from last season and the club’s future ambitions. I wanted to come here to win trophies and make history with this club, and I’m just excited to get started.”

United manager Casey Stoney has previously been a teammate of Staniforth’s at Lincoln.

“I’m thrilled to have Lucy join United,” the boss said. “She is a fantastic player who will add great depth to the strong midfield department we have built at the club.

“Lucy has so much experience in the women’s game, having made her senior debut at 16 years old, and I know she can utilise that experience for us both on and off the pitch.”

Staniforth is the first senior signing of the summer. But the club has also been busy securing existing stars Jess Sigsworth, Amy Turner, Ella Toone and Kirsty Hanson to new contracts.

Midfielder Aimee Palmer, back-up goalkeeper Aurora Mikalsen and Scotland forward Lizzie Arnot, who scored United’s first ever competitive goal following the club’s 2018 launch, have all left United since the end of the 2019/20 season.

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