Atlético Madrid have announced the signing of Merel van Dongen on a two-year contract. 

The 27 year-old defender comes from Real Betis Féminas and has previously played in the Dutch league for clubs ADO Den Haag and Ajax.

She said: "It is a great honour to be able to sign for Atleti. It is a club with a long history. I am happy to play in a team full of so many good players and one that has so much ambition.

“I am a fighter. So on the field I always try to give more than 100% and I do everything to win. I am left-handed and I really like having possession. I can play as a central defender or left back.

“I am looking forward to starting the season and I hope you can be very proud of my work during the time I am defending this shirt.”

She has earned 41 caps for the Netherlands, playing in the 2015 World Cup and was a losing finalist in 2019.