Renee Hector has “come back home” after signing for Watford Ladies to boost their defensive options as the Golden Girls continue their push for Championship football next season.

The former Tottenham Hotspur and Charlton Athletic player has returned to the club where she started her career and made 40 appearances, helping them achieve promotion in 2014.

“It’s a really good feeling to sign for Watford,” Hector told the club website. “I played here for ten years so it just feels like I went on a bit of a vacation for few years and now I’ve come back home. I feel great.

“It’s a club that’s obviously very, very close to my heart. I’ve worn the badge for a long time. It’s a club that means a lot to me and my family.

“Even when I went away and was at other clubs I kept an eye on them and wished them well. It means the world to get the badge back on my chest.”

The Golden Girls are currently second in the FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division, six points behind leaders Crawley Wasps but with two games in hand, and Hector knows what’s needed to get the job done at the end of a season.

“I feel like I’m a bit of a promotion master,” she said. “I’ve been promoted to different leagues three or four times in my senior career. I definitely feel like it’s something I can bring to the team.

“I’m used to be under such intense pressure towards the end of the season where you have to hold your nerve.”

Commenting on the signing, head coach Clinton Lancaster said: “Renée has come down and been working really hard. Her hard work and dedication has been fantastic. She’s the kind of person and character we want at Watford, we want to continue to work with her and get her back match fit and see her in a Watford shirt before the end of the season.

“She’s going to be a fantastic addition for the club and we are looking forward to working with her as a Watford player.”