West Ham Women Seal Impressive Rachel Daly Loan

West Ham United Women have confirmed the signing of Houston Dash forward and England international Rachel Daly on loan until the end of 2020.

Daly, who last played in the WSL for Lincoln Ladies back in 2012, has been thriving in the United States, where she most recently helped Houston win the shortened NWSL Challenge Cup and was named MVP and won the Golden Boot in the mini-tournament.

Although she has largely represented England as a full-back, the 28-year-old is a forward or proven repute and her versatility will be a huge boost to the Hammers squad.

“I am very excited to join West Ham United on loan and come and play in the Barclays FA Women's Super League,” Daly told her new club’s official website.

“West Ham is a fantastic club with a strong squad, filled with proven internationals and talented youngsters, and I'm looking forward to meeting everyone in the team.

“I've known Matt Beard for a long time as well and it will be great to work with him in the coming months. I know we have two really big games to kick-off our season, starting this weekend against Tottenham, and I'm really looking forward to getting started.”

Hammers boss Beard said, “I am delighted to bring Rachel to West Ham. The opportunity to have a proven England international in our squad on a short-term deal was too good of an opportunity to pass up. 

“Rachel is an experienced player, proven at the top level of the game, who will fit into our squad perfectly in terms of how we play and what we expect from our squad. I am looking forward to working with her over the coming months.”

After her WSL spell at Lincoln, Daly was recruited to play collegiate soccer at St John’s University in New York, setting numerous school records. She was later the sixth overall pick in the 2016 NWSL college draft.

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