Manchester United have signed veteran WSL striker Rachel Williams as the club continues to add depth in attacking positions after narrowly missing out on a place in the Champions League.
Williams has signed a one-year contract with the club following her exit from Tottenham.
“I’m very pleased to join this fantastic club,” she said. “It’s a big opportunity that’s been handed to me and I’m looking forward to getting started. United have a good squad and I’m excited to work with these girls for the coming season.
“I’ll bring my experience of this league to the group, together with my 100% work rate and desire to win every game – I can guarantee that.”
United manager Marc Skinner added, “Great to have Rachel join us at this exciting time for the team. She offers a wealth of experience and knowledge, to which she can help enhance the performance of individual players and the team.
“Her character will be a key part of the long-term vision to give us the tools for success.”
Skinner made clear on several occasions in the latter stages of last season his intent to secure more attacking options to unlock stubborn defences and kill games off – losing too many points from winning was ultimately the difference in falling short of the top three.
Williams, who will turn 35 in January, has been a constant of the WSL era and will bring a wealth of experience to a United squad that was largely carried by young talent last season. She also already knows Skinner well from their time together at former club Birmingham.
The player originally made her name with Doncaster prior to the WSL’s formation in 2011 and soon joined Birmingham, going on to play for Chelsea, Notts County, Birmingham again, and most recently Tottenham, whom she signed with in 2020.
Williams was top scorer in the WSL’s inaugural 2011 season with 14 goals in 14 games as Birmingham came within a whisker of the title. She was also first capped by England in 2009 and was later selected for the Great Britain squad at the 2012 Olympics on home soil.
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