Lucy Staniforth: Liverpool sign England Under-23 midfielder

Image source, The FA

Liverpool Ladies have completed the signing of England Under-23 midfielder Lucy Staniforth from Bristol Academy.

The 21-year-old suffered a serious knee injury in the FA Women's Cup final defeat by Arsenal last season, but is near a full recovery.

Video caption, Liverpool Ladies clinch Super League title

Staniforth spent two seasons with Bristol and bolsters a Reds squad looking to defend their FAWSL title.

The attacking midfielder started her career at Sunderland Ladies before moves to Lincoln and then Bristol.

She is the fourth signing made by Liverpool manager Matt Beard during the close season after defender Martha Harris, forward Gemma Davison and goalkeeper Libby Stout joined the club.

Liverpool beat Bristol 2-0 on the final day of the 2013 season to end 10 years of league dominance by Arsenal.