Toni Duggan has become the first England international to sign for Barcelona since Gary Lineker 31 years ago after revealing she has quit Manchester City to try and win the Champions League.

Duggan, who will be a key player for England at the European Championships, which start in Holland later this month, decided to leave the Etihad after four years rather than sign a new contract.

City have been the dominant force in the Women’s Superleague over the last two years, but Duggan could not resist an approach from Barcelona.

Like City, Barcelona’s women’s team use the same training facilities as the men and Duggan insisted she had joined the biggest club in the world. Her departure will sting City, who have made it clear they want to become a dominant force in Europe, but were powerless to stop one of their best players leaving for a rival.

City lost to Lyon in last season’s Champions League semi-final and Duggan suggested she would have a better chance of winning the competition with the Spanish club.