MARIA Francis-Jones has completed her move to Burnley ahead of the new season.

The Llanidloes raised Welsh international defender arrives at the FA Women's National League North club from Manchester City.

Francis-Jones began her career at Cardiff City before moving to the academy of Manchester City in 2021. 

The 20-year-old spent a year of dual-registration agreement at Blackburn Rovers and a year of the same agreement with Sheffield United. 

She captained Wales at U19 level and made her senior debut for the Dragons in March 2020, in a game against Estonia.

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Francis-Jones said: “I'm really excited and proud to say I'm a Burnley player.

"This club has great values and aspirations and hopefully we can have a great season."

Rebecca Sawiuk was pleased to add more quality to her side ahead of the new campaign and she said: “It’s great to bring in a player like Maria, who at just 20-years-old joins the squad with both international youth experience with Wales and FA Women’s Championship experience.

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“Maria is dynamic, hardworking, and creative and her arrival adds both quality and competition for places this season.

"She is another top player, with excellent human qualities, she’s all about the team and has really bought into the direction the club wants to go in here. 

“I’m really looking forward to working with Maria, she wants to learn and has been very proactive with her development plan since she arrived.”