Westerlund joins Umeå as pair depart

Umeå IK's new coach Joakim Blomqvist has signed Finland winger Anna Westerlund to strengthen their squad in a week when Swiss international striker Ramona Bachmann and Sweden midfielder Lisa Dahlqvist both left.

Westerlund's delight
Westerlund, 19, joins from FC Honka Espoo in her homeland on a two-year contract, though her appearances against 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam in the UEFA Women's Champions League round of 32 means she cannot play for two-time European titlewinners Umeå in the rest of this season's competition, with Montpellier Hérault SC awaiting in the quarter-finals on 10 and 17 March. However, she will be eligible when the 2009 Swedish runners-up play in the 2010/11 edition and she said: "I feel really happy with my decision. It feels fantastic to get the chance to play for a team like Umeå."

Duo leave
Blomqvist, appointed last week to replace Mika Sankala, will be grateful for Westerlund's presence in the absence of Bachmann and Dahlqvist. Bachmann, 19 on Christmas Day, has agreed to join American side Atlanta Beat after three years in northern Sweden. Meanwhile the 22-year-old Dahlqvist has moved to Damallsvenskan rivals Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC, saying it was a "tough decision, but I think this is best for me and my own development".