JILL ROORD described her Manchester City switch as the “perfect fit” after sealing a stunning WSL return.
The former Arsenal ace, 26, has joined the Women’s Super League giants on a three-year deal after two years at Wolfsburg.
Jill Roord is set for her second spell in the WSL after signing for Manchester City
The midfielder and her Netherlands team-mates will face Portugal on July 23 in their World Cup group stage opener
Roord was part of the Wolfsburg side beaten 3-2 by Barcelona in this year’s Champions League final
Roord’s transfer follows Hayley Raso’s May departure from the Citizens with the Australia winger set to join Real Madrid.
Her move ahead of next season comes a month after she featured for Wolfsburg in this year’s Women’s Champions League final.
The German side were beaten 3-2 by Barcelona in the contest’s decider in Eindhoven.
Roord, who will wear Man City’s number 20 shirt, said: “I really like the way that they play, and I feel that it suits me perfectly.
“There’s a lot of quality in the team, and it’s a young side with plenty of potential which is very important to me.
“I have always thought that this was a fantastic club with lots of quality, and I’m super excited to start here.”
Roord, who began her senior club career in 2013 at FC Twente at 16, helped the Dutch club to four top-flight titles.
She finished as the Eredivisie’s top scorer in the 2015-16 season before her one-year spell at Bayern Munich and Gunners switch in May 2019.
During her two-year Arsenal stint Roord helped the club reach the Conti Cup final and finish in the WSL’s top three in back-to-back seasons.
And she bagged 31 goals in 69 games for Wolfsburg across all competitions helping them win the 2021-22 Frauen Bundesliga title.
Man City chief Gareth Taylor said: “She is a player whose calibre speaks for itself with what she has achieved.
“We believe she will be a fantastic addition to our squad here at City.”
Roord added: “I’ve always thought that the Women’s Super League is very competitive, so playing in England again is like a dream.
“I feel like I have developed a lot as a player during my time in Germany.”
Roord, who has 86 senior international caps, was part of the Netherlands side that won the 2017 Euros under former boss Sarina Wiegman.
The City newbie is also part of the Dutch squad competing in this year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
They kicked off their warm-up for the contest, which starts on July 20, with a 5-0 hammering of Belgium on July 2.
Roord and her national team-mates face Portugal in their Group E opener in Dunedin, New Zealand on July 23.
Roord netted seven times in 19 WSL games for Arsenal during the 2020-21 season
That clash will be followed by a duel with World Cup champs the United States before a game against minnows Vietnam.
Taylor added: “She has proven her worth in both England and Europe during her career so far, as well on the international stage with the Netherlands.
“She is no stranger to success.”
