The central midfielder joins the club having plied her trade in America and Germany. During her time in the States, she made her senior international debut in a famous 1-0 victory over Argentina in the 2008 Peace Queen Cup and she has since made over 50 competitive appearances for the Football Ferns, scoring six goals.
“I’m a bit nervous about the move but extremely excited,” she said. “It’s the perfect opportunity for me to start somewhere new and create myself into the person and player I want to become.
“I’m really impressed with the club and its program. I like the idea of being part of a side that’s entering the FA WSL for the first time.
This way, we can start from scratch with a new style and I can play to my strengths rather than trying to adapt to an already existing and established environment.”
Born in Titirangi, Auckland, Hassett began playing football with her older brothers at the age of four. She continued to play through her adolescent years and captained her college team to a third-place finish at the National Schools Tournament in her homeland.
She then made the move to America to progress her footballing career, attending the University of Berkeley, California. Whilst studying a range of subjects – including public health, environmental science, philosophy and Swahili – Hassett played for university team, the California Bears, between 2009 and 2012.
The 23-year-old went on to play a pivotal role in the 2011 Women’s World Cup and the 2012 Olympics for New Zealand. In London, she was a key part of the squad that became the country’s first to reach the second round of a major FIFA tournament.
Having made such an impressive impact in her homeland, the midfielder hopes to increase her country’s awareness of women’s football. In addition to her international exploits, Hassett also spent a year in the Frauen-Bundesliga 2 with SC Sand and is optimistic that her endeavours will serve to help her new team as they bid to tackle England’s top women’s league for the first time.
“I will share all the experience I have but I also think it is important to continue to gain more and more experience from playing with new players in another new environment,” she explained.
“Women’s football in England is getting stronger and stronger and I think more and more women will want to come and play here. The FA WSL offers players the chance to grow both on and off the field and this will keep pushing the league’s competition level higher and higher. “
Hassett will meet her new teammates over the coming weeks, joining fellow recruits Jill Scott, Karen Bardsley, Toni Duggan and Steph Houghton in the move to Manchester.
First-Team Manager Nick Cushing is thrilled with the latest addition to the club’s already-impressive side.
“We are delighted to have Betsy for next season,” he said. “Her excellent domestic and international record adds the necessary experience and mentality that we are looking for.
“We look forward to her joining the rest of the squad for pre-season.”
