Joining first summer signing Fiona Worts at the FAWPL Northern Division club, Berko makes the move from Blackpool Wren Rovers and Heald comes in from Sheffield FC.
Both were long-serving players at their previous clubs and FAWPL Northern Division 1 golden boot winner of last season, Berko netted an incredible 400 goals in 9 seasons for Rovers, while Heald spent a dozen years with the now WSL side.
Former Everton, Blackburn and Manchester City striker Berko told guiseleyafc.co.uk: “I’m really excited to join this ambitious club and I’m excited to challenge myself and be part of the ‘project’.
Manager Glen Preston went on record as saying: “It’s a massive coup for us. We’ve had to fend off interest from some of the biggest clubs in the north of England to land her signature this summer.
“Berko is a wonderful talent and her record in a side that respectfully really struggled last season shows just how good she is! She’s got that power and bullishness you need to mix it up with the best of them but then has incredible feet and deception to seamlessly glide past players effortlessly.”
He finished by saying: “She’s the player we wanted and given the tough time we’ve had so far this summer after losing two of our best players, I think this will give everyone at the club a massive lift.”
While with Sheffield FC, Jess Heald won the Reserves League Cup, finished runners-up in the FA Youth Cup, contributed towards the first team winning the FAWPL Northern title in 2014/15 and has since made her Super League debut.
Heald said of her move: “I think Guiseley is a perfect match and I’m so prepared to invest my all into the club as I share the same vision and ambition as the club, staff and players around me.”
Preston commented: “She’s been educated by the likes of Helen Mitchell and Zoe Johnson, so you know she has lots of pedigree and that’s what we’ve seen of her over the last year or so.
“Overall I think she will bring great versatility to the side, something we really value. She’s quick, strong and technically gifted! We saw in the trials her movement was exceptional off the ball and just as importantly I’ve seen that the players have really taken to her quickly!
“It feels she’s been part of the club for years! So yes, we are chuffed to have her on board and I’m sure she’s going to make a great impression.”
