"Rachel is the best female footballer in the country," said Queens Park Rangers defender Bignot after 24 year-old Yankey had completed what he described as "the biggest move that will take place in the women’s game this summer."

The winger’s departure from Fulham follows those of her England colleagues Rachel McArthur and Mary Phillip, the latter of whom Yankey could have linked up with again at Arsenal.

But former Gunner Yankey turned down the chance to re-join her old club, thus also passing up the opportunity to play for a second successive season in the UEFA Cup after reaching the quarter-finals with Fulham last term.

Arsenal, as the new FA Nationwide Women’s Premier League champions, will this season contest the big Euro competition. But Yankey said: "Joining Birmingham was a challenge that excited me more than going back to Arsenal would have done.

"I’m very happy with the choice I made after deciding to leave Fulham, and that in itself was a big decision which I thought long and hard about. I enjoyed my time at Fulham and I know some people will think I’ve made the wrong move.

"I’ve never been at a club that’s been outside the top three, but the challenge at Birmingham will be to help them get up there and even perhaps to win the League – that will certainly be my aim.

"I loved playing in Europe last season and I want to do it again, and I genuinely think I have a chance to do it with Birmingham. They’ve signed some really good players in the summer and we’ll compete with the best sides in the League this season."

Before bringing Yankey to the club Bignot had signed England striker Amanda Barr from Charlton Athletic. Now the manager has other players, including another England international, in his sights.

"I want to make Birmingham City one of the best women’s clubs in the country," said Bignot, "and signing players like Rachel Yankey and Amanda Barr is certainly going to help achieve that aim.

"Amanda is the best goalscorer in England and Rachel is the best female footballer in the country. Rachel is the biggest signing in the club’s history and her transfer is the biggest move that will take place in the women’s game this summer.

"We’ll be making other signings too and I’m really excited about the new season. It will be our third season in the top flight of the Premier League and I think we’ll be in with a real chance of collecting some silverware."