Versatile Joel spent two years at Hayes Lane before, following the expiration of her contract, becoming Becky Langley's ninth signing of the summer on Wednesday.

The move is the latest milestone of a memorable 2024 which had already seen her make her senior international debut, and her Magpies bow could now come on her old stomping ground against the Lionesses this weekend.

"It's very exciting to play them in the first game of season," admitted the 25-year-old utility player. "It'll be a good match-up, with both clubs trying to invest and push the women's side of things.

"They've made some really good additions this summer and they'll definitely have some attacking threat that we'll have to deal with. We'll see on the day which side fares better, but I'm excited for it.

"I had a great time at London City; I got 50 appearances and captained them last year, but just felt like it was the right time for a change and a different challenge - and now I'm up north."

Although born in North Finchley - she represented England at youth level - Joel won her first full cap for Wales in a 2-0 win over Republic of Ireland in February.

"My grandma was from Wales and it's a real privilege to be able to honour that side of my family, my dad's side," she said. "I know she'd be really excited to see me play for Wales.

"She passed away last year, before the call-up, but that side of the family was so excited and it's been good to give that to them.

"Personally I feel like last season I stepped up in terms of career achievements," added the former West Ham Women player. "I was honoured to represent them and get my first cap, and hopefully I can kick on with them a bit more now, pushing for Euro qualification.

"I had a good year and that's why I felt like I was ready for a change. Hopefully I can add a missing piece to Newcastle and we can do really well this year, be successful and push on together.

"It's obviously a transitional phase for the club but I want to help really kick on with them and get into the WSL and become a solid women's team in the WSL and win some trophies. That would be really cool."

Capable of excelling in multiple roles, Joel - who will wear the number 22 shirt for United - said: "I'll play anywhere. I'm not going to say one (position) because then I'll end up playing the other one and look silly!

"Last season I played centre-mid. That was the first time in a while I'd moved in there, but I ended up playing the whole year, and got my call up with Wales, playing in midfield. But growing up, the majority of my career has been right-back or wing-back."

Joel is a former team-mate of fellow summer recruit Isabella Sibley, whose loan move from Crystal Palace Women was confirmed earlier this week.

"It happened really quite coincidentally," Joel explained. "I didn't know I was going to be joining Issy, I didn't know Issy was definitely going to be coming here on loan, but we've been friends for ten years now.

"We played for Chelsea youth groups and then national team youth groups together, so we're quite the duo at times. I've had enough of her now - she keeps following me everywhere!

"No, I'm really excited to have her here and I technically joined her, I guess. It's obviously nice to have someone close with me, and I also know Beth Lumsden a bit from (Chelsea's) youth team, so it's nice to see her again.

"Hopefully me and Issy can fit right in with the northerners and bring some southern charm.

"I'm so excited to see the fans. I love playing in front of crowds and me and Issy keep getting told by the rest of the girls that there's nothing like it up here, with the football culture and fan culture and the community.

"Even just walking around town, you see so many people in Newcastle shirts, everywhere, which is so cool. I can't wait to hopefully build a relationship with them, score some goals in front of them and play some good footy for them."

Newcastle United Women season tickets for the 2024-25 season are on sale at book.newcastleunited.com.