LFC Women complete signing of midfielder Ceri Holland

The 23-year-old joins the Reds having spent four years in the USA competing in the college programme at the University of Kansas.

Holland finished her time at the university having started in 75 consecutive games for the Jayhawks and earned Big 12 conference honours in her freshman, junior and senior years.

In nine starts during a season shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, she won conference Offensive Player of the Week awards three times, providing eight goals and a team-high six assists.

Holland had moved across the Atlantic after three years in the development programme at Manchester City, and she has previously gained international recognition at U19 level for Wales.

The No.18 met and trained with her new teammates in a COVID-secure environment at The Campus this week and now cannot wait to get started on the pitch, with the signing still subject to registration clearance.

“I’m excited to get here and start with the girls,” Yorkshire-born Holland told Liverpoolfc.com. “It’s just an honour really to be representing such a big club. For them to give me this opportunity is just amazing for me and I’m really excited to get going.

“It’s a good environment to be in and an environment where I think I can add something to it and help the team with results, hopefully. That’s my aim really.

“I just can’t wait to get going now and get on the pitch and start playing football again and represent a great club.”

Watch: Ceri Holland's first LFC interview

Holland said fans can expect ‘a box-to-box midfielder’ who enjoys both sides of the game, citing her time in America as huge for her development.

“It was one of the best decisions of my life, honestly, to go out there and just to experience a new culture, a new country and it made me grow a lot, not just as a player but as a person,” she said.

LFC Women interim manager Amber Whiteley said Holland is a player the club felt would be an excellent addition to the squad.

“We’re delighted to welcome Ceri to the club and she will add strength in depth to the playing squad,” said Whiteley.

“She’s an athletic midfield player who brings great energy to the pitch and has a tremendous work ethic. She’s also a great person and has values that match those of the club.”

LFC Women return to competitive action on Sunday February 7 with an away trip to Charlton Athletic.