Share Manchester Thunder have secured the signing of New Zealand international Liana Leota. The 30-year-old centre-courter, who has won 41 caps for her country, was forced to reassess her future plans after being left out of the squad for this summer’s World Cup and held talks with new Black and Yellows coach Dan Ryan. Leota’s husband Johnny plays for Sale Sharks and she is delighted to join her family in Manchester. “I was emailing with Dan after I wasn’t successful in making the Silver Ferns team for the World Cup,” said Leota. “I was convinced I wanted another year in the ANZ, but after lots of discussions with my husband it worked out best for our little family to finally be together in the same country or even hemisphere. “Eight weeks of the year just wasn’t enough and I was missing out on so much.” Leota becomes the latest player to make the switch from the ANZ to Superleague for the 2016 season, including England players Jade Clarke and Eboni Beckford-Chambers, who have joined Loughborough Lighting and Team Bath respectively. Related news post 10 hours ago Where to Watch: Round 10 Reading: 6 mins Cardiff Dragons London Pulse Loughborough Lightning Manchester Thunder Saracens Mavericks Severn Stars Strathclyde Sirens Surrey Storm Team Bath Tags: Import Manchester Thunder Previous Story Team Bath name a number of Internationals in 2016 squad Next Story Beckford-Chambers to lead Bath in 2016 Superleague More News 10 hours ago News Where to Watch: Round 10 Reading: 6 mins 1 day ago News Non-stop Ellie Ervine relishing role at Team Bath Reading: 4 mins 1 day ago News Vote for your favourite players: Win tickets to the NSL Grand Final 2024! Reading: 1 min 16th Apr 2024 News Nicola Smith already at home in Loughborough Reading: 4 mins 16th Apr 2024 News Round 9: Pulse earn thrilling win over Mavericks Reading: 5 mins More Google Ad – MPU – Right Column