UNITED STATES sevens star Ilona Maher will join Bristol in January for the rest of the season with the aim of appearing at next year’s World Cup.

Maher, the game’s most popular player on social media with over eight million followers, was a standout performer in the Eagles’ bronze medal finish at the Olympics during the summer.

The 28-year-old plays centre and wing and her arrival will bolster Bristol’s pursuit of the Premiership Women’s Rugby title.