Everyone has had a chance to settle down now following a summer like no other. Led by Sarina Wiegman, England reigned victorious on home soil at Euro 2022. One of the few players not playing their club football in England at the time was Rachel Daly, but is no longer the case with Aston Villa announcing the signing of the Lionesses star.
Lionesses Star Swaps the Houston Dash for Aston Villa
Welcome to Aston Villa Football Club, @RachelDaly3! 🟣
— Aston Villa Women (@AVWFCOfficial) August 9, 2022
Rachel Daly Is Back on English Shores
The Lionesses have brought buckets of pride to the nation and garnered the deserved levels of love and respect in the process. This monumental success will hopefully be reflected in the eyes that are on the WSL going forward. Lionesses star Rachel Daly returning home will only embellish that.
Having been one of the most consistent performers over the pond with the Houston Dash, Daly is now returning home. She has been snapped up by Aston Villa and whilst versatility can often be a lazy skillset accredited to players, she is the epitome of it. The 30-year-old from Harrogate has played all along the frontline, in the middle of the park and, most recently, as a fullback. Wiegman deployed her on the left with fellow Lionesses star and winner of the 2020 FIFA The Best award Lucy Bronze on the other side.
Daly wasn’t the only English player running out with the Dash following Ebony Salmon’s trade over from Racing Louisville. Salmon, who is on the verge of breaking into the national team squad, netted a brace at the weekend as her side came back from behind to overcome Megan Rapinoe and the OL Reign.
Back to Daly and this is a great move for both her and the Villains. Regarding her departure from the NWSL, Daly said: “and I have to watch from the sidelines as I step away to be closer to my family”. Whilst Houston lose a great person and character, Villa gain one.
Read More: Lionesses Goalkeeper Is Snapped up by Manchester City
Aston Villa Add Another Lionesses Star
In the last week or so, the conversation has not been about the future of the Lionesses star. This move comes as a surprise to many and Villa were themselves focusing elsewhere. France international Kenza Dali was confirmed very recently, making this her third different WSL club.
Dali played for the two giants, Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain, in her home country in the earlier stages of her career. As well as accumulating an impressive 45 caps for Les Bleues, she has become a WSL regular. It first began with West Ham United where she spent two seasons, before being released and then subsequently joining Everton. From London to Liverpool to Birmingham she, along with Daly, has now joined Aston Villa.
The Lionesses star was one of the best performers during that magical summer along with the likes of Keira Walsh, Leah Williamson and Mary Earps. She has always played at a very high level and Carla Ward has a fantastic talent on her hands for the season ahead. From it’s coming home to she’s coming home.
Rachel Daly has signed a three-year deal with @AVWFCOfficial.
The Euro champ is heading back closer to home after 6 years in the NWSL. pic.twitter.com/SPzFSRwrod
— Just Women’s Sports (@justwsports) August 9, 2022
