Toni Duggan: Manchester City Ladies sign England striker

Manchester City Ladies have signed Toni Duggan on a three-year contract.

The striker, who scored a hat-trick in England's World Cup qualifier win over Turkey in September, had rejected Everton's offer of a new deal.

City Ladies will compete in the expanded Women's Super League for the first time in 2014.

"Their plans for the women's game are massive," said the 22-year-old. "They are looking to take the game to the next level and that's what it needs."

She added: "The move is a big change for me and, I'm not going to lie, it's been hard.

"I was at Everton from a young age and they've done so much for me.

"As I say, I can't thank them enough but sometimes you just need a fresh challenge and I want to better myself as a player."

Duggan will join fellow England internationals Jill Scott and Karen Bardsley at Manchester City.

After making her England senior debut in September 2012, Duggan has scored eight goals in 14 international appearances.

She won the England Women's Under-23 Player of the Year award, and scored 13 goals in this year's Women's Super League as Everton finished fifth.