Manchester City Women have signed Jamaica striker Khadija Shaw on a three-year deal, subject to work visa and international clearance.
The 24-year-old, better known as “Bunny”, will join at the start of July following the conclusion of her current contract with Division 1 Feminine side Bordeaux.
Born in Spanish Town, Jamaica, Shaw’s foray into the game started with Eastern Florida State College Titans where she earned NSCAA first-team National Junior College Athletic Association All-America honours in 2016.
Transferring to the University of Tennessee in 2017, she was named in the All-SEC first team in both her seasons there alongside being awarded the SEC Offensive Player of the Year accolade in 2018.
Also figuring for WPSL side Florida Krush, the forward moved to France in the summer of 2019 and made her professional debut against FC Fleury 91 in August of that year, scoring twice in a 4-1 win.
Finding the back of the net ten times in 15 appearances in her first season at the club, Shaw didn’t rest on her laurels last term and scored 24 times in 21 appearances in all competitions.
Also a seasoned international with her homeland of Jamaica, the 5ft 11in forward represented her country at various youth levels before making her debut for the senior side in a 6-0 win over the Dominican Republic in August 2015, scoring twice in that fixture.
Since then, she has recorded an impressive 42 goals in 30 appearances for the Reggae Girlz – making her their all-time leading goalscorer – including a brace against new teammate Caroline Weir’s Scotland side in a friendly at Hampden Park in May 2019.
Ahead of the upcoming 2021/22 Barclays FA Women’s Super League season meanwhile, Shaw will make her first move into the English game and has signed a contract that will keep her at the Academy Stadium until the summer of 2024.
Speaking about her move, she said: “It feels amazing to be a Manchester City player. I chose this Club because I want to be a part of the environment, the culture and to play for this amazing team.
“I want to be tested and there is so much experience in the team here, so I know I will learn a lot from everybody around me.
“I grew up as a City fan, and I even have some family members who live in Manchester – when I told them about my move, they were so happy and excited.
“I’ve always watched the English game and it’s something that I’ve always wanted to be a part of – the Barclays FAWSL is growing and developing tremendously, and I feel as though this is the perfect move for me.”
Head Coach Gareth Taylor added: “We’re delighted to welcome Khadija to Manchester City. She’s a very talented young player and we’re pleased that we’ve been able to add her to our already productive forward line.
“She’s enjoyed a successful couple of years in France with Bordeaux and the fact that she finished as the league’s top scorer this past campaign speaks volumes about the calibre of player that she is.
“Her form on the international stage is incredibly impressive too and we’re very much looking forward to working with her over the coming seasons.”
