Engen boosts Tyresö bid

Fresh from helping Liverpool LFC to their first English title, Whitney Engen is ready to assist another club in making history.

The United States defender agreed in August to join Swedish champions Tyresö FF, where she had a loan spell in 2011. Having aided Liverpool to FA WSL glory a fortnight ago before the end of her contract, the 25-year-old comes to Tyresö in time for their much-anticipated European debut. They start on Wednesday at home to Paris Saint-Germain FC in the UEFA Women's Champions League round of 32 first leg.

Coach Tony Gustavsson believes Engen's arrival is crucial with her positivity and leadership qualities. More importantly, she will steel a defence that has been their weak link this season, especially after Johanna Frisk's injury, with FCR Malmö looking certain to wrest back the Swedish title. "The biggest challenge we have is to make the defence work, but at the same time we become better every time we play together," Gustavsson said.

Captain Caroline Seger added: "It feels like we have finally got all the pieces together. We have had to create a new squad because many new players came in, while others left."