Manchester City Women have signed Dutch international Tessel Middag.

The midfielder, who has 30 caps for Oranje, joins from Eredivisie Women’s outfit Ajax.

Middag moved to the Amsterdam club in 2012 after one trophy laden debut season with ADO Den Haag, where she completed a league and cup double. She went on to establish herself as a regular in the Ajax midfield, netting 15 goals in 94 appearances and lifted the Dutch Cup again in 2014.

A history graduate from the University of Amsterdam, the 23-year-old is pleased to finally put pen to paper with MCWFC after she postponed a move here two years ago in order to complete her studies.

She told mcfc.co.uk: “I finished university last March so it felt like the right time for me to move and when I found out Manchester City were still interested, it was easy to come to an agreement.

“I’d spent five years in the top division in Holland so I was looking for a new challenge and I’m delighted to get the chance to play for such a big club.”

A tactically astute, technically gifted midfielder who likes to dictate play and create chances for her team-mates, Middag joins an unbeaten MCWFC team who sit top of the FA WSL.

The playmaker admits she is looking forward to testing herself in a new league and having been denied an Eredivise title with Ajax on goal difference last season, is pleased to have joined a club which shares her drive for success.

“I know this is a club with big ambitions but I’m very ambitious too. I want to be part of a team that’s competing for the title, so I think we’re a good match,” she explained.

“I want to improve and the FA WSL attracts top players from all over Europe, so I’m looking forward to competing with them.

“It’s a bonus to be playing in the Champions League and I’m really looking forward to playing at the highest level against clubs from France and Germany.”

Part of the Netherlands 2015 Women’s World Cup squad, the midfielder hopes the move to Manchester will cement her place in the national team for the Women’s Euro 2017, which will be hosted in Holland.

Currently on international duty, Middag will join up with her new team-mates after the break and will be eligible for the game against Liverpool on 26 June.

International encounters means there will be a few familiar faces in the MCWFC squad and Middag is looking forward to pulling on the same shirt and stepping out in front of the Academy Stadium crowd.

She added: “I know some of the team already from playing against them and now I’m looking forward to playing alongside them.

“The Academy Stadium is perfect and I’ve heard the attendances are the highest in England, which is very nice. I’m looking forward to meeting the fans and I hope I entertain them.”