Durham Women FC are delighted to confirm the signing of versatile forward Molly Sharpe.

The 22-year-old striker joins the Wildcats after a four-year stint at Barry University in Miami, where she netted 14 times and registered 13 assists during her senior year.

Sharpe has prior experience of the English game, having burst onto the scene at Bradford City while still a teenager.

Her goalscoring exploits in the FA Women’s National League didn’t go unnoticed – and manager Lee Sanders moved swiftly to snap-up the forward upon her return to England.

Now Sharpe, who will study a Masters Degree at Durham University alongside representing the Wildcats in the FA Women’s Championship, is eager to kick-on and challenge herself in the second tier.

“It’s really good to be here,” she said.

“I’m expecting a challenge and I’m really looking forward to the teams that we get to play, it’s an amazing level and there’s now easy games.

“I just can’t wait to get going and meet all the girls properly.”

Meanwhile, Sanders was pleased to capture the signature of a forward he has tracked for several years.

“I’ve known of Molly probably for about the last seven or eight years, from when she played as a junior and monitored her progress since,” he said.

“She did well for Bradford as a 16-year-old and scored some goals then went out to America and continued to do well.

“She’s getting a fantastic opportunity to get her postgraduate degree funded while playing football.

“I think she’s definitely got the qualities to have an impact on the first-team.”

Sharpe becomes the Wildcats’ third new recruit of the summer, joining Megan Bell and Iris Achterhof.