FA WSL 1 champions strengthen squad ahead of new season

Wednesday 07 Jan 2015
Liverpool boss Matt Beard with the FA WSL 1 trophy

FA WSL 1 champions Liverpool have made a triple swoop for Satara Murray, Ingrid Ryland and Line Krogedal Smorsgard.

Murray is a 21-year-old centre back and has joined the Reds from North Carolina Tar Heels.

She said: "Having played college football for a number of years I feel as though I am now ready to make the step up to professional football and couldn't ask for a better move than to Liverpool Ladies.

“The Women's Super League is definitely improving and I'm really excited to join such a big club”

Line Krogedal Smorsgard 

"Liverpool Ladies are a club definitely going places, which was highlighted by the two recent WSL title victories, and I cannot wait to start.

Liverpool boss Matt Beard added: "Satara is a superb signing for us. She is a massive talent who has a big future ahead of her and will provide us with options in defence.

"Satara is an athletic defender with a great physical presence who has a good reading of the game. Her speed is also a massive asset and I've no doubt she will prove to be an excellent signing for us as we prepare for the upcoming season."

Full-back Ryland has moved to Merseyside from Norwegian side Arna-Bjornar and her compatriot Smorsgard made the switch from Klepp IL.

The 25-year-old said: "Having seen Liverpool Ladies lift the WSL trophy in 2013 and 2014, hopefully I am able to improve the side and help them to secure a third successive league title victory."

Beard added: "Ingrid is another great signing for Liverpool and I'm sure she'll help to improve our defence. I've seen Ingrid play for Norway on a number of occasions and I'm sure she will suit our style of play perfectly.

"I think modern-day full-backs have to be able to attack as well as defend, so Ingrid is another great signing for us as we look to compete in four competitions this season."

Smorsgard, a 27-year-old striker, said: "This is a great move for me and I cannot wait to get started.

"The Women's Super League is definitely improving and I'm really excited to join such a big club in Liverpool.

"To be able to join the reigning Women's Super League champions and play UEFA Women's Champions League football is a brilliant feeling."

Beard said: "Line is an excellent striker with a keen eye for goal. Although we won the League last season, I felt as though we could improve going forward so to sign Line is another great signing for us.

"I'm confident that Line will really compliment the attacking players we already have at the club and will score plenty of goals for us. I'm sure Line will be a big hit with the supporters."

By FA Staff