Liverpool Women have re-signed the defender Gemma Bonner, who captained the club to two Women’s Super League titles. The 31-year-old joins from Racing Louisville and will link up again with the manager Matt Beard.

Bonner won the WSL in 2013 and 2014 under Beard during a six-year spell that ended in 2018 when she joined Manchester City. A childhood Liverpool fan, she wrote to Santa aged four or five asking for “a computer and a football Liverpool kit and four computer games”.

On Saturday she said: “Growing up as a Liverpool fan it probably means that little bit more. Seeing my shirt today with the name on the back again was almost a little emotional.”

Bonner, who has 11 England caps, signed for the US club Louisville from City on a two-year deal in April 2021. The centre-back has made the second-highest number of appearances for Liverpool Women in the professional era: 115.

“It’s a pretty special moment for me,” she said of returning. “I still pinch myself when I’m coming into Anfield. I’m super-excited to be back and I can’t wait to pull the shirt on again … I think I always knew within myself that one day I would love to come back to Liverpool. Now the time feels right.”

Beard took over as Liverpool’s manager for the second time in May 2021 and won the Women’s Championship last season. The team are ninth in the WSL.

“It was too good an opportunity to pass up to bring Gemma back to the football club,” Beard said. “We had a great working relationship before and she will bring leadership and experience to the team … It just feels like she’s coming home.”