Manchester United Women midfielder Lucy Staniforth has sealed a move to Aston Villa, the club have confirmed.

The England international has joined the Midlands club on an eighteen-month contract, having spent the last two and a half years at Old Trafford.

Staniforth actually signed from Villa’s rivals Birmingham City in 2020 and she went on to make 41 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring three goals in the process.

The 30-year-old was part of the England side that won the 2020 SheBelieves Cup. She was also included in the squad for the 2019 Women’s World Cup.

It is believed that United are lining up a potential replacement for Staniforth, having been linked with a £160,000 bid for Norway international Lisa Naalsund only last week.

With Staniforth having less than six months remaining on her contract anyway, her departure does seem like good business, especially if she was no longer a key part of Marc Skinner’s first-team plans.