Manchester Thunder sign Caroline O'Hanlon from Sirens

Manchester Thunder have confirmed the arrival of Northern Ireland international Caroline O'Hanlon after the departure of Gabriella Marshall.

O'Hanlon enjoyed an impressive campaign for Sirens last year, their first in the Superleague, and she links up with semi-finalists Thunder for the 2018 campaign.

The centre will fill the void left by Marshall who earlier this month moved south to link up with the benecosMavericks and 33-year-old O'Hanlon is relishing the opportunity in a Commonwealth Games season where she hopes to line up for Northern Ireland next spring.

"I've always admired Thunder and the tradition they've always had in the Superleague," she said.

"Thunder have always done really well in terms of their coaching staff, with so many players moving away in the past few seasons and I admire how well they have done when they have lost players.

"I really wanted to experience that and (head coach) Karen Greig is a big reason for me joining. Whenever I have played in Manchester the fans have always been really good and really loud so I'm looking forward to experiencing that more.

Having made the top four last season,Thunder will be looking to challenge for the play-off places again when the new season gets underway in February

"It's an established team and possibly one that is even underestimated in the league and they have really strong players throughout," O'Hanlon added.

"Thunder have a settled and balanced team and that was enticing for me. It will be interesting with all the player changes and a lot of the English players have come back.

"I think it's going to be an open season like the one we've just had - with lots of predictions last season going out the window.

"I really hope Thunder can make the play-offs and that I can play a big part in that."

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