City are delighted to announce Danish international Nadia Nadim will join the Club in January.

The Afghan-born forward will make the switch from Portland Thorns in deal which runs to the end of 2019.

Having also plied her trade at Sky Blue FC and the Blues’ Champions League opponents Fortuna Hjorring amongst others, Nadim signs for Nick Cushing’s side, eager to embark on a new challenge on what has been an incredible life and career journey.

Nadim told CityTV: "It feels awesome and fantastic to be a part of this club... I feel honoured and humble to be in this situation.

"This Club is doing so much for women's football. They are a pioneer in the women's game and I want to be a part of that. I know the Club has such big ambition – one of them is winning the Champions League – so it wasn't a difficult choice for me.”

Nadim’s path into football is as inspirational as it is unique.

Aged 12, she fled her native Afghanistan with her mother and four sisters via cargo truck, after her father was killed by the Taliban, and set up home in Denmark.

There, as her family made a new life for themselves – free from restriction – she discovered her passion for the beautiful game. Close to her refugee camp, a local team trained and she – along with her sisters and friends – would watch the sessions and practice recreationally

With two of her sisters in tow, Nadim eventually asked to join in, sparking a life-changing moment and igniting what would become a truly incredible career.

“I'm happy that I got a second chance,” she continued.

"I started playing football for real in the refugee centre in Denmark and it became an obsession really fast. From then until now, I feel the same way."

Her natural goalscoring ability shone through on the very first practice and ‘the Nadim sisters’ were soon featuring for the local seven-a-side team.

They then trialled for B-52 – one of the best team’s in the country, upon their coach’s suggestion, and were snapped up, with the Club offering to sponsor the cost of travel to secure their participation.

Nadim’s career continued to blossom. At 18, she signed professionally for IK Skovbakken and the family made the move to Aarhus.

Having represented Denmark at youth level, her ability persuaded the nation to plead with the FIFA to make an exception to their rule which declared a player over 18 must have lived in a country for five years before gaining eligibility to play for the national team. Their exception was granted and their faith repaid – this summer, Nadim scored twice at the Euros as Denmark reached the final.

Grateful for the chance of education, the forward enrolled into the local university at Aarhus to pursue her second dream of becoming a reconstructive surgeon, whilst playing professionally for Skovbakken and then Fortuna Hjorring, where she made a name for herself as a prolific striker.

When Sky Blue FC learned of her talents, she was offered the opportunity to pursue her career in America – and she jumped at the chance, whilst continuing her studies.

She then joined the prestigious Portland Thorns where she completed the 2016 campaign as top scorer and helped the Club to the NWSL Shield.