Everton Ladies have signed Dutch international defender Kika van Es on a two-year contract from Ajax.

The 27-year-old will join the Blue Girls following this summer’s World Cup in France, where van Es is part of the Netherlands squad looking to reach the final with a last-four clash against Sweden on Wednesday.

Everton manager Willie Kirk hailed van Es, who can play in central defence and left-back, as an “important and exciting” signing as he looks to strengthen his squad ahead of the new Women’s Super League season.

“I’m delighted to welcome Kika to the Club,” he said. “She’s a very important piece of the jigsaw and will play a massive part in what we are trying to build.

“Her versatility, communication and experience on the pitch were only some of the attributes that made her one of our top signing targets.

“She will also bring a lot of invaluable characteristics to the squad off the field which are just as important on this journey that we are on.

“It’s an exciting signing for us and one that adds further to the quality we already have at the Club.”

Van Es started all six games for the Netherlands to help her nation to Euro 2017 glory two years ago and has since gone on to earn 61 caps.

Starting her career at Olympia ’18, the defender also played in her homeland for PSV Eindhoven and FC Twente, before joining Ajax last summer.