VfL Women have made another big signing ahead of the 2021/22 season with the acquisition of Dutch international Jill Roord. The 24-year-old central midfielder is joining Wolfsburg from English high-flyers Arsenal Women and has signed a contract through to 30 June 2024.
Roord, who will wear the number 14 jersey with the She-Wolves, has been playing for the Gunners since 2019, having previously spent two years at Bayern Munich. She began her career at FC Twente, where she played under future Wolfsburg coach Tommy Stroot in 2016/17. After Joelle Smits, Lena Lattwein, Tabea Waßmuth, Sandra Starke and Lynn Wilms, Roord is VfL Women’s sixth new recruit ahead of the new season.
Euro winner, World Cup finalist
Roord has made 62 appearances to date for the Dutch national team, winning the European Championship on home soil in 2017 before appearing in the World Cup final two years later. She also won the European Under-19 Championship in 2014.
On the domestic front, she picked up two Dutch league titles (in 2014 and 2016) and the Dutch Cup (in 2015) at the start of her career with Twente.
“Exactly the right step”
"I’m very proud and really looking forward to wearing a VfL Wolfsburg jersey from this summer,” said Roord. “From my point of view, it’s exactly the right step in terms of my personal development. I obviously want to play my role in the team being successful and winning titles.”
“Such a strong addition to our team”
“At 24, Jill is already an integral part of the Dutch national team and has an incredible amount of international experience for someone of her age,” said Ralf Kellermann, VfL Women sporting director. “We’ve been keeping an eye on her development for a long time now and are delighted with the fact that she will be playing in VfL colours in the future. Jill is a very flexible midfielder and will be such a strong addition to our team.”
