Liverpool FC Women have confirmed a double signing to kick start their transfer window
Ireland international Leanne Kiernan and Belgium's Yana Daniels have become the Reds first new signings of the summer.
Liverpool kick started their transfer window with the signing of Republic of Ireland striker Leanne Kiernan from West Ham.
The signing was closely followed by Belgium international Yana Daniels sealing her Liverpool return after two years at Bristol City.
Kiernan will play this season as Liverpool's new number nine after Danish Amalie Thestrup left the club in May when her contract expired.
The 22-year-old will bring versatility to her role at Prenton Park having played as a winger for West Ham and a striker for Ireland.
The Cavan native began her career at Shelbourne in Ireland where she was both a league and cup winner.
She excelled in Ireland, most notably scoring a hattrick aged just 17 in the 2016 FAI Cup final before making the move to London.
Kiernan spent three years in the top flight with the Hammers and will now strive to get the Reds promoted back to the Women's Super League.
“I’ve played as a winger for the last three years and I play as a striker for my country,” she said.
“I just can’t wait to get back out there on the pitch with my new teammates and settle in with my new family here at Liverpool.
“The club is a great name and it definitely has great ambition. I really enjoyed the phone call with Beardie, and it grabbed me towards Liverpool and it’s just an exciting time to be here.”
Kiernan will be reunited with boss Matt Beard who brought her to West Ham from Shelbourne during his stint with the Hammers.
“Leanne’s a versatile forward, she’s very quick and can score goals inside and outside the box," said the Reds boss.
“She’s an infectious personality and one of the biggest aspects is her work rate and how she conducts herself as I think it’s something we need in this league.
“I signed her when she was 18, she’s grown up a lot over those three years and I think this is a good move for her and for us. I’m looking forward to seeing what she can produce this year.”
The Reds swiftly followed up the signing of Kiernan with the return of Yana Daniels from Bristol City.
The Belgium international had a brief spell at the club during their 2018/2019 WSL Campaign.
The 29-year-old has valuable international experience having scored seven goals in 44 apparences for Belgium Red Flames.
Similarly to Kiernan, the winger will also be reunited with Reds boss Beard, having worked with him at Bristol last season.
“Yana’s a great player, first and foremost. She’s a little bit different to the players we have in the front positions at the moment," said Beard.
“Yana can come in off the line, she’s good in the air, she’s a very technically gifted football player and she can create and score goals.
“This is a unique football club and Yana’s experience of being here before and understanding the pressures and what it means to be a Liverpool football player is something else we took into account.
“She was outstanding for me at Bristol and she’s a great person as well.”
Daniels had no doubts she would be making the return to Liverpool FC Women and is looking forward to playing under Beard again.
“It feels good to be back! I enjoyed my time at Bristol City and it was a tough end to the season there," she said.
“The style Matt plays just suits me, I like it and I just feel comfortable with the way he wants to play.
“To come back here and try to help put this club where it belongs, and the philosophy of Matt, just suits me. I believe that he can achieve something big here with his ability as a manager.
“I’m looking forward to meeting all the girls. There’s still a few around from a few years ago when I was here so it feels like home and I’m excited to meet the new players.”
