East Grinstead have pulled off a coup by signing England and Great Britain international Sophie Bray.

The 23-year-old has joined Grinstead as they begin planning for a second season of national league hockey.

Her signature – after a spell playing in Holland for MOP – was announced on the day she was named in England’s squad for the World Cup in The Hague later this month.

And Grinstead coach Mary Booth insists the player’s desire to drop down from top level club hockey in order to play for the Saint Hill club was key to the deal.

Booth, who worked with Bray previously at Trojans, said: “We are all really excited about Sophie signing.

“She has experience, she wants to play for us and she will make a difference.

“She is a goalscorer and that is what we need.

“Sophie has been playing in the top league in Holland and before that she was playing in the Premier League with Birmingham. She is now coming down a level but she wants to be part of East Grinstead moving forward and she wants to enjoy her hockey because there is such a lot of pressure playing international hockey.

“It gives her an opportunity to play while being relaxed.”

Bray will link up at East Grinstead with fellow England and Great Britain international Kirsty Mackay.

Both were named yesterday in Jason Lee’s squad for the World Cup which begins on May 31 – which is another indication of how far Grinstead’s women have progressed.

Two other players have represented their country recently – Alicia Caillard with England under-18s and Megan Batchelor with the under-16s.

Grinstead have also signed Czech Republic international Bara Kavanova from Brighton and Hove.