Aston Villa beat European powerhouses to sign Daphne van Domselaar

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Her Football Hub

·16 June 2023

Aston Villa beat European powerhouses to sign Daphne van Domselaar

Aston Villa have agreed terms to sign Netherlands international Daphne van Domselaar from FC Twente on a three-year deal. The move is subject to international travel clearance and FA approval, following the expiry of her current contract.

Van Domselaar is set to make her Women’s Super League debut when she links up with Villa this summer. She will become Carla Ward’s first signing of the transfer window following an impressive 2022/23 season for the Villans.

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Since making her senior debut in 2017, van Domselaar has won eight trophies with Twente, including three Eredivisie titles. The 23-year-old has been capped 13 times for her country and has been named in the Netherlands squad to compete in the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Van Domselaar’s announcement comes shortly after the news that Hannah Hampton will be leaving the club at the end of the month. The Lioness has already been linked with a potential move to Chelsea this window.

Villa snub European giants for Van Domselaar

Ward is thrilled to have van Domselaar in the team and admitted the Dutch shot-stopper is a player who Villa have “tracked for some time.”

They also faced heavy competition from other clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid. Sources close to Her Football Hub revealed that van Domselaar turned down approaches from the European powerhouses to join Villa, with Ward reportedly being very persuasive in her pitch.

“We knew we had real competition from some of Europe’s biggest clubs so we’re delighted she’s chosen to continue her development with us,” the Villans boss said.

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“She’s a player who comes with great pedigree and potential to be one of the world’s best. We’re delighted to have her and we very much look forward to working with her.”

Aston Villa earned a very respectable fifth-place finish in the WSL last season. Rachel Daly was awarded the Golden Boot after netting 22 goals, smashing the record scored by an English player in a single WSL campaign. The Villans will look to build on this huge trajectory and continue to challenge the league’s strongest sides.