Manchester City complete signing of Norway international Julie Blakstad

Manchester City have completed the signing of Julie Blakstad from Rosenborg on a two-and-a-half year deal.

The 20-year-old midfielder has been capped 11 times for the Norway senior team since making her debut as a teenager, and is one of the youngsters expected to shine at this summer’s European Championships.

The fee for Blakstad is undisclosed, and she will wear the number 41 shirt at the Academy Stadium.

Speaking to Manchester City’s official club website following the completion of her move, Blackstad said: “It’s amazing to be a Manchester City player and I can’t wait to get started.

“Everybody has been amazing so far, and I’m so excited to meet my teammates. At this point in my career, it’s important to take a new step to develop myself further and I believe this is the best place for me to do that.

“You only have to look at the club – the facilities, the staff and the players all have incredible dedication to achieve something big and I really want to be a part of that.”

Blackstad joined Rosenborg from Fotballaget Fart in 2020 and enjoyed an impressive debut season with the Norwegian outfit. She scored seven league goals from midfield and scooped the Toppserien Young Player of the Year Award, in addition to being nominated for the senior prize.

Her form saw her rewarded with a senior international debut for Norway against Wales in October 2020, and she has gone on to find the net twice in 11 appearances for the national side.

Blackstad is Manchester City’s first addition of the January window, with Jill Scott’s loan move to Aston Villa the only other transfer activity for Gareth Taylor’s side this month.

City currently sit fifth in the WSL, four points behind rivals Manchester United in the final Champions League spot, having endured a season heavily disrupted by injury.

On the club’s latest addition, Taylor said: “We’re delighted to welcome Julie to Manchester City. At just 20 years old, she’s already proven what a talent she is for both club and country and she’s a player who will fit perfectly into our squad and ethos here at City.

“We’re very much looking forward to working with her over the coming years – she is an incredibly ambitious young player and we’re excited to help her develop and grow here in England.”

This article was originally published on 90min as Manchester City complete signing of Norway international Julie Blakstad.

Source: www.90min.com