Birmimgham recruit England prospect Sargeant

UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-finalists Birmingham City LFC have signed England Under-19 defender Meaghan Sargeant from Lincoln LFC.

Sargeant, 19, played alongside new club-mate Aoife Mannion in central defence as England reached the 2013 UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship final. She had joined Lincoln at the start of the previous year from Arsenal LFC, whom Birmingham face in Europe's last eight on 24 and 30 March. Her arrival follows that of midfielder Remi Allen and Wales forward Hannah Keryakoplis ahead of the new English season.

Birmingham manager David Parker said: "We're thrilled to bring Meaghan to the club as she's a player we've been monitoring for some time. She's got great technical ability and can play multiple positions across the back four, which will be a valuable asset for us over the course of the season and beyond.

"She didn't get the playing time she would have liked at Lincoln last season, compared to her breakthrough season in 2012, but she has come here with a point to prove and is looking to once again be a regular in the starting XI alongside our other youngsters."