Man City Women striker Toni Duggan has joined Barcelona in a two-year deal.
The England forward’s contract with City was set to end in November and now she is off to Spain, becoming only the second English player of either gender to join the Catalan giants, after Gary Lineker.
Duggan has been key to City’s success in recent seasons, with her goals helping them lift the WSL title for the first time in 2016 and win the Women’s FA Cup this year.
Overall, the 25-year-old bagged 31 goals in 74 games for City after moving from Everton in 2013.
On signing on the dotted line, Liverpool-born Duggan said:
FC Barcelona are known all over the world for playing attractive football and I naturally wanted to be part of that. I think my style of play will suit the team and I’m honoured to be part of the club.
I’ve had a lot of success in England and I’ve really enjoyed my time with Manchester City but I wanted to challenge myself even further by playing abroad. I’m also looking forward to learning Spanish and living in the city.
Barcelona are a club on the up in women’s football, with their increased investment in recent years culminating in a semi-final place in the Champions League last season and a runner’s-up spot in their domestic league.
The Spaniards will no doubt be hoping for more crackers like this one scored by Duggan against Brondby in last season’s Champions League.
Manchester City’s Toni Duggan with a wondergoal in the Women’s UEFA Champions League last night. 🔥[@WSUasa] pic.twitter.com/5fGcdVNwJ9
— FourFourTweet (@FourFourTweet) November 17, 2016
Duggan is also set to play a major role for England in the European Championships later this month.
If only more English players would try their luck abroad!