Crystal Palace sign new midfielder Ria Öling amidst WSL survival hopes | OneFootball

Crystal Palace have announced the signing of midfielder Ria Öling. The Finnish international has penned a two-and-a-half-year deal and will join Laura Kaminski‘s side as they battle to stay in the Women’s Super League.

Öling has played the majority of her football in Scandinavia, with spells at Denmark’s Brøndby IF and Finland’s Turun Palloseura. She also has experience playing in Spain after a brief spell with Santa Maria in 2017.

Whilst playing in Sweden, Öling amassed more than 100 appearances in the Damallsvenskan, whilst playing for Växjö DFF and FC Rosengård. During her time with FC Rosengård, Öling won three league titles. Additionally, following participation in the Champions League group stage, the 30-year-old became only the second Finnish player to feature in the competition.

Öling has a wealth of experience on the international stage. The midfielder, who has been capped 85 times for Finland, made her senior debut in 2015 against Sweden. This was after representing her country at both the 2013 UEFA Women’s U19 Championship and the 2014 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup. Whilst playing for Finland, she has scored ten goals and was part of the team that won the 2023 Cyprus Women’s Cup for the first time.

‘Ria brings invaluable experience to Crystal Palace’

Speaking on her move, Öling said: “It’s really exciting [to be here]. It’s a really competitive league with good players and good teams. I feel like every game is going to be tough, so I’m looking forward to that!”

Head coach Laura Kaminski added: “Ria brings invaluable experience to the side, and we are delighted to have her here at Palace.”

Öling will be eligible to make her debut on Sunday, 26th January as the Eagles host Tottenham Hotspur. It is crucial for the home side to get a result to aid their survival hopes. Palace currently sit bottom of the WSL table with five points, only one behind Leicester City.

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