LILY Stevens has secured a slice of history by signing for Oxford United Women.

The versatile midfielder is Liam Gilbert’s latest new recruit for 2020/21 and joins brother Jack, a forward in the Under 21 side, in the U’s set-up.

It is the first time the same family has been represented in the U’s men’s and women’s pathways and Stevens cannot wait to get started.

The 21-year-old said: “After speaking to the manager we instantly got on really well and I really liked his values and where he wants to take the football club moving forwards.

“It took just one conversation to sort everything and convince me.

“I’ve been in for a couple of sessions and I’ve met all of the girls, and it moved pretty quickly from there.

“I think the main aim for everyone at the club is to get promotion and win the league, so I’m really looking forward to that challenge.”

The ex-Wales youth international joins a squad featuring several key players from last season as United prepare their assault on FA Women’s National League Southern Premier.

Stevens represented her country up to Under 19 level and hopes this will be an asset.

She said: “Growing up playing in the Welsh youth teams was an insane experience.

“I got to travel to so many different countries and play, it’s just really cool to play at international level.

“You learn so much, it’s just such an amazing experience.

“Growing up playing in European qualifying tournaments, those were so cool and so professional.”

Stevens, who can also play in defence, will join up with some familiar faces at United and is aiming to hit the ground running.

She said: “I like being on the ball, I like passing the ball.

“I’d say that I’ve got quite good vision, so I like looking for passes and trying to link up the defence to the attack.

“I’ve previously played with a couple of the players here already.

“I know Daisy (McLachlan), I grew up playing with her at Reading, so it will be good to play with some of them again.”

Stevens added: “I’ve had a lot of programmes to do physically (during lockdown), so that hasn’t been a problem.

“Mentally I’ve just been communicating and speaking to loads of the girls and my friends who are in the same situation, staying motivated and waiting for it all to get back to normal.”