Former Leeds forward Leah Galton describes her move to Bayern Munich as the perfect next step.

Galton, who played for Leeds between 2010-2012, left NWSL side Sky Blues FC last year in pursuit of a new challenge. And what a challenge she’s found.

On February 18, the 23-year-old will become the first Englishwoman to play for the German club, which is a massive achievement.

“It was time, because I hit a point in America where I wasn’t progressing. I had progressed from college level to professional, but this is the perfect next step,” Galton, who’s been capped 12 times by England’s youth side, told BBC Sport.

“This move is definitely going to help me get better. It’s a completely different game in Germany, technically and tactically.

“Yes, it’s exciting to say I play for ‘Bayern’, amazing even, but it’s more to do with the quality of the coaches and my teammates. The name doesn’t bother me too much but I’m surrounded by world-class people.”

According to the BBC, for the first time, the new England Women manager Phil Neville will have to search far and wide in order to put together his strongest squad.

The Lionesses now play for teams like Barcelona, Bayern, Lyon and Juventus.

It shows that English women’s football is growing stronger by the year. The England Women players are now being signed by some of the biggest clubs in Europe – more so than the men’s side.

I guess Neville’s going to be embarking on a few extra holidays between now and March, when the She Believes tournament takes place.

Here’s where else the ex-Manchester United man will have to look in order to round everyone up:

  • Australia: Jodie Taylor – Melbourne City, Laura Bassett – Canberra United
  • Cyprus: Ashleigh Bullock and Rosella Ayane – Apollon Limassol
  • Finland: Sarah Burn – Aland United
  • France: Lucy Bronze – Lyon
  • Germany: Leah Galton – Bayern Munich, Lily Agg – Frankfurt, Jessica King – FF USV Jena
  • Italy: Ellie Brazil – Fiorentina, Katie Zelem – Juventus, Emma Lipman – Verona, Sophie Williams – Calcio Latina
  • Netherlands: Abby Holmes – PEC Zwolle
  • Spain: Chloe Richards – Zaragoza, Toni Duggan – Barcelona
  • United States: Natasha Dowie – unattached, Rachel Daly – Houston Dash