BRISTOL CITY Women have confirmed the signings of two England u19 internationals - Poppy Pattinson from Manchester City and Ella Rutherford from Millwall Lionesses.

Manager Tanya Oxtoby said on Pattinson: “Poppy is a talented and hardworking young player who has great potential.

“Our environment here at Bristol City Women will allow her to develop and she will be a great asset to have at the club for the upcoming season,”

The defender has represented England at u19 level and says she can't wait to get started at City.

“The move gives me the chance to fully experience the Women’s Super League and it’s the right setting for me to push on and develop in.

“There is a real tight-knit group of players here and I’m excited to be joining the club. I can’t wait for the season to get started this weekend against Leicester.”

Rutherford impressed for Millwall last season and has Oxtoby's faith that she can replicate such form in the WSL 1.

The City boss added: “Ella possesses great technical ability and she should flourish here at Bristol City Women.

“She has proven she can compete at the Championship level and I believe she is ready to make the step up, we’re excited to see how she progresses in the Women’s Super League.”

Rutherford is raring to get going and is confident of making the step-up.

She said: “I believe that I am ready to make the step up to the Women’s Super League level and Bristol is the right place for me to do that.

“They’ve got a great aim here and that is to take young players like myself and develop them into well-established players in the Women’s Super League and I believe what they’ve got in place here will allow me to do that.”

City finished 8th in the WSL1 last season with 16 points from 18 games.

They kick off the 2018/19 campaign against Leicester City in the Continental Cup on Sunday, August 19.