Angel City FC has made its first soccer hire in Eniola Aluko.

The NWSL expansion club announced on Thursday that Aluko had been appointed the team’s sporting director. The former English international player comes to Angel City by way of Aston Villa, where she served as director of women’s football for a little over a year.

As a decorated player and successful manager, Aluko will be tasked with Angel City’s technical development, roster management, recruitment and top personnel decisions.

In a statement released through the club, Aluko said of her new job: “This is an incredible opportunity to help write Angel City’s first chapter and to build a team that is people-focused and admired by players and fans all over the world.”

With the club still a year out from competition in the NWSL, all eyes will be on Aluko as the search for Angel City’s head coach heats up.