Former England and Chelsea legend Eni Aluko has been appointed Angel City FC’s new Sporting Director.

The 34-year-old joins the club after a successful spell as Aston Villa’s Director of Women’s Football.

Aluko will play a key role in the development of the Los Angeles based side –– focusing on roster management, recruitment strategy and shaping the team’s culture and philosophy, ahead of their induction into the National Women’s Soccer League in 2022.

Speaking of her excitement at taking on this new role, Aluko said: “The opportunity to join the club as its first sporting director was unmissable and something that I had to do.

“To join a majority female-owned soccer team by icons I've been loved and inspired by, like Billie Jean King, Serena Williams, Abby Wambach, the list is endless. I’ve grown up admiring them [so] it was just a dream and a once in a lifetime moment for me.”

For fans and neutrals who are not familiar with Aluko’s legacy, here are five facts about the ex forward that you need to know:

Named in top 100 most influential Black Britons

Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Aluko represented England at international level but considers herself as much Nigerian as British.

Named in the 2020 Powerlist as one of the top 100 most influential Black Britons, the now Sporting Director wants to create an all-encompassing culture at Angel City.

“I want to build a diverse and inclusive team that is globally visible… and is loved by the community,” she stressed.