Meet the US rugby superstar coming to play in the UK

Ilona scored three tries at Paris 2024 and gained millions of followers on Tiktok

US superstar Ilona Maher, the most followed rugby union player in the world, is moving to play in England.

She'll join Bristol Bears for the rest of the Premiership Women's Rugby season.

Ilona gained an Olympic bronze medal, as well as loads of fans, during the Paris 2024 Games after her videos and interviews went viral.

She's also been a contestant on Dancing With the Stars, the US version of Strictly.

But what else do we know about Ilona and why is this signing such big news in the world of rugby?

Ilona (sixth from the left) won legions of fans during Paris 2024.

Ilona's new coach at Bristol, Dave Ward, said the signing is a "huge coup" for the club.

Ilona is aiming to join the United States 15-player rugby union team before the World Cup next year, which takes place in England.

The club hope the utility back (a player who can adapt and play in multiple positions in the back row), will bring more fans to matches, boost TV viewing figures and even help sell more merchandise in the three months Maher is there.

"Ilona is one of the biggest names in women's sport, let alone rugby, and we believe she will add real value to our programme on and off the field," said Ward.

Ilona was born in Vermont, USA, and started rugby at the age of 17, encouraged by her father who was a player himself.

She carried on the sport while she studied nursing at university and was awarded the MA Sorenson Award, presented to the best women’s college rugby player.

Maher has been a part of the USA Eagles Rugby Sevens squad since 2017 and made her Olympic debut at the 2021 Games in Tokyo.

She scored three tries during the tournament, helping the team finish in sixth place.

Dancing with the Stars is the American version of Strictly

But it was Paris in 2024 where she helped Team USA earn the bronze medal and where gained her huge social media following.

Most of her posts spread a message about positive body image and says "all body types are beautiful and can do amazing things".

And to prove it even more, last week she was the runner-up on America's version of Strictly, Dancing with the Stars.