Smith will train with the club’s Elite Development Squad (under-21s) as she completes her A-Levels, something that was very important to the Victoria College student.
“My school has been very supportive and they have always made sure I have a backup in my education and it was important to me that I was able to continue my studies in Manchester,” she said.
“I want to play football all the time, I want to make a career out of it and I really think this will help me push that on.
“Professional football has always been my dream and I want to go as far as I can.”
Jonathan Tuffey, Crusaders’ manager in the Women’s Premiership and a goalkeeper for the men’s team, said Smith was a “credit to herself and her family”.
“She’s very dedicated to her craft. The past few years with us, after moving from Hillsborough Boys, she has been phenomenal and she is more than ready now for our first team.
“When we were made aware of the interest from Man City, she got our full support. The hard work starts now for her. I know with her work ethic and the people she has around her, she will take it in her stride. The sky is the limit for her.”
This article was originally published on 4 March.
