Betsy Hassett: Excited after clinching Manchester City move

The central midfielder joins City on a one-year contract, having previously plied her trade in America and Germany.

The 23-year-old, who has scored six goals in over 50 competitive appearances for New Zealand, revealed she cannot wait to get her career in England started with the FAWSL debutants.

"I'm a bit nervous about the move but extremely excited," she said. "It's the perfect opportunity for me to start somewhere new and create myself into the person and player I want to become.

"I'm really impressed with the club and its program. I like the idea of being part of a side that's entering the FA WSL for the first time.

"This way, we can start from scratch with a new style and I can play to my strengths rather than trying to adapt to an already existing and established environment.

"Women's football in England is getting stronger and stronger and I think more and more women will want to come and play here.

"The FA WSL offers players the chance to grow both on and off the field and this will keep pushing the league's competition level higher and higher."

The Kiwi is the latest high-profile recruit by City and will join England quartet Jill Scott, Karen Bardsley, Toni Duggan and Steph Houghton at the Etihad next season.

Hassett began playing football as a toddler in her hometown of Auckland before captaining her college team to a third-place finish at the National Schools Tournament.

She later played for the California Bears after moving to America on a scholarship at the University of Berkeley.

The midfielder represented New Zealand at the 2011 Women's World Cup as well as the 2012 Olympics. In London she was part of a squad that became the country's first to reach the second round of a major FIFA tournament.

City manager Nick Cushing is thrilled with the latest addition to the club's already-impressive side.

"We are delighted to have Betsy for next season," he said. "Her excellent domestic and international record adds the necessary experience and mentality that we are looking for.

"We look forward to her joining the rest of the squad for pre-season."