Aston Villa sign Rachel Daly from Houston Dash | OneFootball

Aston Villa have announced the signing of England star Rachel Daly from the Houston Dash on a three-year contract.

Daly started every game in the Lionesses' recent Euro 2022 triumph, playing out of position at left-back despite naturally being a forward.

The 30-year-old returns to English football having spent the last nine years playing in the US, though she did spend time on loan at West Ham from September 2020 to January 2021.

Aston Villa manager Carla Ward said: "This is a big signing for us and one we’ve worked hard on completing. Rachel is a top forward and a proven goalscorer.

"Having performed admirably at full-back this summer, she showed us that she is a player you simply need in your team.

"But for us, she is a forward and we can’t wait to see her scoring goals."

Daly came through the academy at Leeds before spending a year with Lincoln, and then took her career to the US, playing college football for St John's Red Storm.

She was then drafted by the Houston Dash in 2016, going on to score 33 goals in 95 games for the Texan side. During her time with the Dash, Daly was twice voted into the NWSL Second XI.

WSL season on September 11 away at Brighton.