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Daphne van Domselaar 75% clean sheet record highlights ability to fill Hannah Hampton shoes for Aston Villa Women
Aston Villa Women have moved quickly to fill the shoes of Hannah Hampton, having snapped up the services of Dutch goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar.
The club officially announced on 16 June that they had reached an agreement with FC Twente to sign the 23-year-old on a three-year agreement when her deal expires for the Dutch side later this month.
The shot-stopper becomes the club’s first completed transfer of the summer after Villa lost their number one, Hampton, on a free transfer.
Speaking on the acquisition, manager Carla Ward said: “Daphne is someone we’ve tracked for some time.
“We knew we had real competition from some of Europe’s biggest clubs so we’re delighted she’s chosen to continue her development with us.
“She’s a player who comes with great pedigree and potential to be one of the world’s best. We’re delighted to have her and we very much look forward to working with her.”
Van Domselaar arrives with pedigree despite still being in the early years of her career, having made her top-flight debut back in December 2017 and since rising to the Netherlands’ international team, gaining 13 caps.
Last season, the goalkeeper helped FC Twente finish second in the Women’s Eredivisie and kept an impressive 15 clean sheets from 20 top-flight appearances.
This strong form saw her named in Andries Jonkers’ 30-strong provisional Netherlands squad for the upcoming World Cup in Australia and New Zealand later this summer.
If Villa had any worries about the vacant hole that Hampton would leave in the first-team squad, these fears have been quickly alleviated.
Van Domselaar looks ready to make the step up to the WSL this coming season and help Aston Villa cement themselves as contenders for a top-four finish following their hugely successful 2022/23 campaign.
If the board can back Ward in a couple more key areas and help to either sign Kirsty Hanson and Anna Patten on permanent deals after their loans or find alternatives elsewhere in the market, the club should be well-placed for yet another strong season.
In other Aston Villa news, big-name signings are now on the cards after a behind-the-scenes arrival at Villa Park.