Newcastle United have appointed former Ninja A-League defender and assistant Tanya Oxtoby as their head coach.

Oxtoby joins Newcastle in WSL 2 after a spell in charge of Northern Ireland as the English club chase promotion to England’s top flight.

A defender and assistant coach with Perth Glory in the Ninja A-League, previously worked with Emma Hayes at WSL giants Chelsea.

“I am excited and honoured. It is an exciting project and it’s my job to add to that, we are very ambitious, and it will be an amazing journey,” said Oxtoby.

“My job is to come in and develop players and take us to the next level. I want to help everyone reach their potential and take them on a journey that will be really successful.

“The ambition that the club shows and my own ambition, they align and we are wanting to be successful and that’s the responsibility I carry.”

Newcastle’s director of women’s football Grace Williams added: “We are delighted to welcome Tanya to the club.

“She brings with her a great amount of experience and it was clear throughout the process that she matches the drive and ambition that we have to take Newcastle United Women forward.

“Tanya knows our team and the quality that it has within it, and she is excited to work with and develop our players as we move into the next part of our journey.

“As a leadership team, we were all impressed with Tanya and believe she is the perfect fit to help us embed the long-term strategy that will allow us to thrive beyond this season.”