Bruinenberg leaves Cats for Everton
Dominique Bruinenberg has left Sunderland Ladies to sign for Everton.
The Dutch midfielder joins the Blue Girls after spending the past 18 months with WSL1 rivals Sunderland, linking up with the Black Cats prior to the 2017 Spring Series.
Sunderland’s uncertain future after failing to win a place in the top two tiers of the game in the latest FA restructure has left several players looking for moves to stay in the top flight.
New SAFC owner Stewart Donald has put in an appeal against the club’s demotion into the third tier of the game, but it remains to be seen what level of finance he will be able to put into the team.
Bruinenberg came through the ranks at SC Telstar back in her homeland before a short spell at Den Haag. After moving to Italian side Verona, she featured in the Champions League during the 2016/17 campaign. A former Dutch youth international, she made 25 appearances in all competitions for Sunderland last season, scoring five goals. Now at Everton, the 25-yearold hopes to help the club continue to build off the back of their first season back in the top flight.
“I am really happy to be here,” she told evertonfc.com. “For me, it is a step higher after last season and I am really excited to be at Everton.
“The club is still building. It is a young squad but the way they have started since coming up to WSL 1, there is lots to gain. Everton competed really well with all of the sides in the league last season. I think it can only get better for us.
“I am very excited to be here now and play my part in that.”