Northern Ireland forward Simone Magill signs for Aston Villa

Magill, 27, who has made over 60 appearances for her country, has spent the last nine years in Women’s Super League with Everton and is Villa head coach Carla Ward’s first summer signing.

Ward told Villa’s official website: “Simone is someone we have tried to bring in during the last two transfer windows, so to get it over the line is something I’m delighted with.

“She’s a front-footed player with an eye for goal and someone I feel will fit in brilliantly to what we’re trying to do.”

Magill joined Everton aged 18 from Mid-Ulster Ladies FC in 2013 and made 84 WSL appearances before announcing she would be leaving the club at the end of last season when her contract expired.