Storm sign experienced Hutchinson

Surrey Storm Netball is delighted to welcome former Hertfordshire Mavericks and England defender Naida Hutchinson to the squad for the 2017 Vitality Netball Superleague season.

Storm fans will recognise the experienced defender from her two Netball London Live appearances at the Copper Box Arena for her former side, plus one Superleague Final showdown at the same venue in 2015 which saw Surrey lift their first domestic title.

An 18 year old Hutchinson kicked off her professional career in 2005 with Mavericks as part of the first Superleague line-up, before making her international debut just a year later and notching numerous appearances for The Roses in her 8 year England career.

A long-term knee injury saw Naida sit out of the game for a number of seasons, before making a huge comeback 2 seasons ago and even receiving a reserve call-up for the national side in 2015.

Hutchinson’s experience in the defensive end will prove vital alongside a number of young players in the Storm squad this season, as the club goes in search of success with a new breed of hungry netball players.

After signing, Hutchinson said: “Signing for Surrey Storm was a big decision as I was actually contemplating hanging up my netburners. However when this new and exciting opportunity arose, it got the fire in my belly roaring to take on this new challenge."

"I am really looking forward to bonding & meshing in this new look surrey storm team and having a great season together. London Live is always a huge event for any player within the London franchises and I am particularly looking forward to that fixture as always."

Naida is the first player who is confirmed to make her Storm debut this season and will join Mikki Austin, Georgia Lees, Katy Holland and Yasmin Parsons in the squad so far. More announcements are coming over the next 7 days.

Season tickets for the 2017 Vitality Netball Superleague season are on sale now, following last week’s announcement of the full fixture schedule and the return of Netball London Live, which will see Naida go up against her former side at the Copper Box Arena in March.

Click here for all fixture and ticket news.

Listen to Naida talk to BBC Radio's Andy Lamb after confirming her future with Storm: