BIRMINGHAM City Ladies have pulled off a major swoop after announcing the signing of German international Isabelle Linden from Champions League winners FFC Frankfurt.
The 25-year-old is one of the most highly-rated strikers in women’s football having started her career at SGS Essen before spending five years at Bayer Leverkusen.
Her goalscoring exploits at Bayer Leverkusen, and subsequent performances at international level, earned her a move to the record Champions League holders FFC Frankfurt.
Linden has played for her country at every age level and was part of the squad that that won the 2013 European Championships.
Birmingham fought off stiff competition from a host of European clubs for her signature and manager Dave Parker said he was ‘over the moon’ at bringing such a high calibre player to the Women’s Super League.
He said: “I can’t wait to get her on the training pitch in June and attack the second-half of the season.
“When watching Isabelle we knew the profile and ability that would impact the pitch, but when talking to her and flying her over, it was very clear that we would also be adding a very charismatic character off the pitch which will fit in perfectly with our group.
“It further outlines our intentions and vision of what we want to achieve at the Club. It’s also a signal of the development the Club is making not just in England but also in Europe, in that we are now attracting the top European players.”
The arrival of Linden will help bolster the Blues attack which has struggled for goals in recent years. This season Parker’s side have scored just four goals in seven matches despite sitting third in the league table.
The German striker is confident she can improve that record and is likely to make her debut against Arsenal on June 29.
“I am proud that I have signed for Birmingham City Ladies,” said Linden, who becomes the club’s fourth senior striker along with Kirsty Linnett, Freda Ayisi and Charlie Wellings.
“The conversations with David, Marcus Bignot and Tim Andrews convinced me about the project and ambitions at the Club.
“I’m looking forward to the new challenge to play in another country and I have always wanted to play in England. The team is ambitious and I’m very excited to join up with the girls in June.”
