Gwalia United add Wales defender Vine to squad

Amina Vine came through Wales' age-group system

Gwalia United have signed once-capped Wales defender Amina Vine.

The versatile 24-year-old, who can also play in midfield, joins her sister Shurima at the FA Women's National League Premier Division side.

Vine came through Wales' development programme and was given her international debut by former Wales boss Jayne Ludlow, coming on as a replacement in the Cyprus Cup game against Republic of Ireland in March 2017 that Wales lost 6-5 on penalties in the fifth-place play-off.

Although named in the squad for the following autumn's World Cup qualifiers, Vine remained on the bench for games against Russia, Kazakhstan and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Gwalia manager James Thomas has previously worked with Vine in national team environments.

"I'm really pleased to bring Amina into the club. For someone still young she has so much experience at both club and national team level and I can't wait to work with her again," said Thomas.

"Amina spent a lot of time as a very young player in the Wales senior national team group during qualification campaigns, so those experiences and the clear level of ability that she possesses will be a huge asset to us as a club as we progress forward.

"There are so many attributes to talk about with Amina but her technical ability on the ball, combative nature, desire to win and the ability to play across the back line and midfield will prove invaluable for us as a team."

Vine is Gwalia's third signing of the summer, following the recruitment of midfielder Bethan McGowan and full-back Daisy Ackerman.