All Whites striker Chris Killen has elected to remain in China but drops down a division to line up for Chongqing FC in League One while Football Ferns goalkeeper Clansey has completed a dream move to English giants Liverpool, the club she has supported since childhood.
The 25-year-old links up with Liverpool Ladies from Australian side Canberra United, for whom she was part of the squad that finished unbeaten in winning the W-League this season.
Killen, 30, spent the previous campaign at Shenzhen Ruby and struck nine goals but could not prevent them from finishing at the bottom of the table and being relegated.
His move means he will play in the division his former club have been demoted to anyway as Chongqing, who play at the 58,680 capacity Olympic Sports Center, won promotion to League One last season.
Chongqing become the seventh permanent club of Killen’s professional career – his move to China followed a lengthy spell in Britain with Manchester City, Oldham Athletic, Hibernian, Celtic and Middlesbrough – and he will be keen to find form in what is shaping as an important year for the All Whites.
His 39 international caps dwarf Clansey’s Football Ferns tally of five but the former Three Kings United star has been a regular feature of New Zealand squads as understudy goalkeeper since 2006.
With current No 1 Jenny Bindon likely to hang up her gloves after the 2012 London Olympics in September, Clansey knows a regular run between the sticks in the top English division will give her a good chance of adding to those caps.
That the opportunity has come with the side she supports makes it even more special.
“I have always been a Liverpool fan so to get the chance to play for the team is a big honour,” Clansey says.
“I can’t wait to get into training, play in our first matches and of course wear the Liverpool shirt.”
Liverpool ended last season bottom of the Women’s Super League (WSL) but Reds manager Robbie Johnson says the recruitment drive for the upcoming campaign is already well underway.
“We’re in advanced talks with other players and should be in a position to announce further signings in the next few weeks,” he says.
“The fact that players from the other side of the globe are wanting to come and play for us in England really highlights the quality of the WSL and the worldwide appeal of Liverpool.”
Liverpool Ladies’ first competitive game of the season takes place in March with a sixth-round tie in the Women’s FA Cup.

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