Wales international Natasha Harding has left Manchester City Women by mutual consent following the arrival of Swedish striker Kosovare Asllani from Paris Saint-Germain.

Harding began her career at Cardiff City in 2007, coming on as a second half substitute for Gwennan Harris in a 4-0 win against Newport County in the Welsh Women's Cup. She was part of the Cardiff team that played in the 2007-08 UEFA Women's Cup, before going on to captain her club.

She spent five years at Cardiff before then Bristol Academy manager Mark Sampson brought her to the Stoke Gifford Stadium, where she found the net eight times in 39 games. A proposed move to NWSL side Washington Spirit fell through, and she subsequently signed for Manchester City ahead of the 2015 WSL 1 campaign, for whom she scored one goal in 10 games.

She made her senior international debut as a late substitute against Switzerland aged 19, after also having represented Wales U19 team five times in the 2007-2008 season. In 2012, she scored a hat-trick against Israel in a UEFA Qualifying match in Wrexham, enroute to a 5-0 win. She represented Great Britain at the 2011 World University Games in Shenzhen, China. Harding was named Wales vice-captain by manager Jayne Ludlow in 2015.

Harding had a short but enjoyable stint with Manchester City. | Image credit: Manchester City Women
Harding had a short but enjoyable stint with Manchester City. | Image credit: Manchester City Women

Thanking the fans

The 26-year-old took to twitter to thank the City fans, saying, "To the Man City fans I want to say a special thanks and let you know how much your support  as meant to me during my time at City." She added, "You made me feel welcome from day one and I appreciate everything you have done for me, I'll never forget it."

Busy transfer window

It's been a busy transfer window for Manchester City, who also released Krystle Johnson at the end of last season. Meanwhile, new recruits Jane RossNikita Parris, Marie Hourihan and Asllani all have signed on the dotted line for the 2015 FA WSL 1 runners-up.

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