Bristol City Women have confirm the signings of Poppy Pattinson from Manchester City and Ella Rutherford, formerly of Millwall Lionesses.
Defender Pattinson has represented England at U-19 level and City manager, Tanya Oxtoby believes she will be a great asset for Bristol as the 2018/19 season approaches.
“Poppy is a talented and hardworking young player who has great potential.
“Our environment here at Bristol City Women will allow her to develop and she will be a great asset to have at the club for the upcoming season,” Oxtoby to bcfc.co.uk.
Pattinson can’t wait to get the season started: “The move gives me the chance to fully experience the Women’s Super League and it’s the right setting for me to push on and develop in.
“There is a real tight-knit group of players here and I’m excited to be joining the club. I can’t wait for the season to get started this weekend against Leicester.”
Striker Rutherford makes the step up to the WSL after being a stand-out performer for Millwall in Tier 2 last season.
Oxtoby said: “Ella possesses great technical ability and she should flourish here at Bristol City Women.
“She has proven she can compete at the Championship level and I believe she is ready to make the step up, we’re excited to see how she progresses in the Women’s Super League.”
Rutherford said: “I believe that I am ready to make the step up to the Women’s Super League level and Bristol is the right place for me to do that.
“They’ve got a great aim here and that is to take young players like myself and develop them into well-established players in the Women’s Super League and I believe what they’ve got in place here will allow me to do that.”
