Brighton defender Danique Kerkdijk has signed a new one-year deal, which will keep her at the club until June 2022.

The 25-year-old joined the Seagulls in 2019 from Bristol City and has been a regular in Hope Powell's side since.

Last season the Dutch international played in 19 of Albion’s 22 league games as they secured their highest ever finish in the WSL, of sixth.

She also finished the campaign well by scoring a brace in their 6-0 win over Huddersfield in the FA Cup at The People's Pension Stadium last month.

Kerkdijk made her debut for the Netherlands in 2015 and was part of the squad which reached the 2019 World Cup final.

She has won over 20 caps for her country is expected to be in the Dutch squad for the Euros next year, which will take place in England.

But Kerkdijk was over the moon to have signed a new deal.

She said: “I’m delighted to be part of the club next season.

"Last year was tough at times, especially for the girls like me from overseas who couldn’t see their family as much as we’d like.

"But we have such a close squad and they helped us.

“We made real progress on the pitch and I’m looking forward to helping us get even better next season.”

Powell is glad that the centre back has extended her stay on the South Coast.

She said: “We’re really pleased because Danique has become a really important player for us.

"She is such a good defender – strong, tactically aware and someone who gets the best out of the players around her.

“She will play a big part in what we’re trying to achieve in the future, and we’re looking forward to working with her again next season.”