Ferns striker Jacqui Hand agrees to join English Championship club

Football Ferns striker Jacqui Hand has signed a pre-contract agreement with English club Lewes so she can play for them from January.

Hand (24) has been a free agent since leaving Finnish club Aland United at the end of the Kansallinen Liiga season.

At Lewes, she will be re-united with former Ferns assistant coach Natalie Lawrence who is the assistant manager at the club who play in the second-tier English FA Women’s Championship.

READ MORE: Coach Natalie Lawrence lands new role with English Championship club >>>>

Former Fern Katie Rood is among Lewes’ former players.

Hand, who has played 17 times for New Zealand, had previously indicated she was the subject of offers from Swedish clubs but was keen to move to England.

READ MORE: Ferns striker Jacqui Hand on the move after leaving Finnish club >>>>

Main photo: Jacqui Hand … stood out at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.

Jacqui Hand training at Lewes. Photo credit: Lewes FC social media.

In the announcement by Lewes, Hand said: “I’m super excited to be joining Lewes! My time with the team so far has been awesome, the girls and coaching staff have been very welcoming and I can’t wait to get started!”

Manager Scott Booth told the club’s website: “It’s fantastic to finally get Jacqui onboard. She’s a player I have admired for some time now.

“Her ability to play anywhere across the front line, offering pace, intelligence and an eye for goal will prove vital in the second half of the season.”

This story was first published on December 21, 2023.

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