Bristol City make double swoop for Leicester City midfielder and ex-Rangers defender

Bristol City Women have made the double swoop for Elysia Boddy and Vicky Bruce for the 2022/23 season.

Boddy and Bruce were confirmed as the sixth and seventh signings of the summer transfer window along with Fran Bentley, Olivia Clark, Jodie Hutton, Chloe Mustaki and Shania Hayles. Former Aston Villa defender Anita Asante has also joined as a member of Lauren Smith’s coaching staff.

Both players have put pen-to-paper on a deal that will see them ply their trade at the High-Performance Centre for the upcoming FA Women’s Championship season.

American defender Bruce will play in England for the first time in her career after experiencing football in a range of countries.

The 28-year-old joins from SC Sand, a team that played in the Frauen-Bundesliga, the top flight of German football.

She has also turned out for Fortuna Hjorring in Denmark,  Moron BK of Iceland, Apollon Limassol of Cyprus, as well as a stint with Rangers in 2016.

Commenting on her move to the official club website, she said: “I’ve always wanted to play in England so I’m stoked to be here. Everyone has been so nice, I’ve never been on a team that has had so many female coaches and I’m thrilled about that.

“All the girls have welcomed me with open arms and they have treated me like I have been here for many seasons."

Joining Bruce and the other five recruits is midfielder Broddy who makes the move from Women’s Super League outfit Leicester City.

Boddy joined the Foxes for the second part of the campaign and experienced a few minutes of football at senior level.

Her other experience in the game was at Middlesbrough where she played for their senior team in the National League. Broddy has also been capped at youth level for England.

Commenting on her move, she said: “I’ve only been here a few days but I have already built some great relationships and now it’s about building relationships on the pitch. I love playing football so I can’t wait to get started.

“I think I’m a very aggressive player, creative, and very hardworking. I think that’s something that Bristol City really like and with the aspirations of getting promoted this season that’s something that needs to be brought to the table."

The Vixens begin their league season on Sunday, August 21, as they travel to Coventry United. Their first home game is on Sunday, August 28, welcoming Blackburn Rovers to the HPC.

City’s Women will also get the chance to play at Ashton Gate with their fixture against Southampton on Sunday, September 25 penciled in.