Natasha Harding completes Aston Villa move

Wales midfielder Natasha Harding, 33, has joined Women’s Super League (WSL) outfit Aston Villa on a one-year deal.

Harding, from Hengoed, left Reading this summer having spent four years at the Berkshire club following a move from Liverpool in 2018.

Earlier this year, she earned her 100th cap for Wales in a 3-0 World Cup qualifying win over Kazakhstan – an occasion she marked with a goal.

Speaking after her move to Villa, Harding said: “I’m really excited to be joining the team, staff and fans at this amazing club.”

“I’m also excited to see what we can all do together, on and off the pitch, and hopefully achieve some great things along the way.”

“I’m in a great place mentally and physically and I can’t wait to show my strengths to help the team this season.”

Harding, who attended Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni, made her international debut back in 2008, aged just 19 – coming off the bench in a 2-0 defeat away to Switzerland.

She made her senior club debut for Cardiff City a year earlier – playing for the team until 2012 before moving to Bristol Academy. In 2015, Harding joined Manchester City, making ten appearances before switching to Liverpool for the 2016/17 season.

In 2016, she was named Welsh Footballer of the Year, alongside Gareth Bale.

After scoring 11 goals in 29 games for Liverpool, Harding joined Reading in 2018.