Wales' most-capped footballer Jess Fishlock has sealed a loan move to Reading Women, marking her return to England's top flight for the first time in eight years.
Cardiff-born Fishlock, capped 113 times, links up with the Madejski Stadium outfit less than three weeks before the Women's Super League begins its new season, where she will go in search of regular game time to return to match fitness ahead of Wales' Euro qualifiers resuming in September.
The move to join Kelly Chambers' Royals - who finished fifth in the WSL last season when the season was curtailed due to the coronavirus pandemic - was formally announced on Wednesday.
Following an ACL tear last summer while on duty for parent club OL Reign in America - suffered in the same month she was named National Women's Soccer League Player of the Month in America - Fishlock, 33, made a brief return to the field in July's NWSL Challenge Cup, 12 and a half months after knee surgery.
But she will need regular and meaningful minutes to return to full fitness and make a real impact for Jayne Ludlow's Wales side, who are away to Norway on September 22 as they bid to qualify for their first major tournament.
A hiatus in the NWSL due to their season being drastically cut short in the USA makes the loan move possible, with Fishlock set to link up with Welsh teammates Angharad James, Rachel Rowe, Royals captain Natasha Harding and Welsh youngster Lily Woodham.
Fishlock last played in the WSL in 2012 while with Bristol, and has played on loan in France, Germany and Australia while with OL Reign. She is a double Champions League medal-winner following loan deals with French giants Lyon and FFC Frankfurt.
Manager Kelly Chambers said: "Jess is a world-class player that has a wealth of experience at the very top level of the women’s game.
"Not only does Jess have incredible experience behind her, she also possesses a fantastic understanding of the game that will only help the players around her on the pitch and our team to progress.
"What I love about Jess is that she is still so hungry to develop and learn and I’m so excited to work with her over this period. It’s fantastic to bring Jess to our club."
"I am super excited to be joining Reading on loan," said Jess. "It's nice to be home and I am thankful for the opportunity.
"I can't wait to get started and I'm really looking forward to helping Reading push on to another level."
The WSL's new season begins on the first weekend of September, when Reading face Arsenal in their season opener.
