Ilona Maher, who helped Team USA win a bronze medal in sevens at the 2024 Paris Olympics, is joining Premiership Rugby side Bristol Bears on a three-month deal that starts in January. Maher, a 28-year-old Vermont native, announced the news on social media in conjunction with the club.

After her runner-up finish on Dancing With The Stars, Team USA rugby star Ilona Maher is getting back to doing what she does best. Per Colin Millar of

Ilona Maher made a major announcement in the most Ilona Maher way possible: With a hilarious video on social media. The 28-year-old Olympian — and recent PEOPLE digital cover star! — announced on Monday, Dec. 2 that she's joining the Bristol Bears, of the Premiership Women's Rugby league, for their upcoming season.

Women's rugby's biggest star is leaping into pastures new in 2025. Ilona Maher, the American rugby supernova who took the country by storm as a part of the United States' bronze medal-winning sevens side in the summer,

Ilona Maher, the world’s most-followed rugby player on social media, has joined Premiership Women’s Rugby club Bristol Bears on a three-month contract. Maher, 28, travelled to Bristol to complete her move this week and will be registered to play for her new club from January over the remaining three months of the season.

Ilona Maher, the world’s most-followed rugby player on social media, has signed for Bristol Bears and will play for the Premiership Women’s Rugby club from next month.

American Olympic bronze medallist Ilona Maher signs for Bristol Bears for the rest of the Premiership Women's Rugby season.

Ilona Maher has set her sights on featuring at next summer’s Rugby World Cup after signing for Bristol Bears in England’s Professional Women’s Rugby (PWR). Olympic bronze medallist Maher had been the subject of interest from several PWR clubs after making her intentions to chase a World Cup spot with the United States clear.

EXCITING NEWS FOR FANS OF ILONA MAHER... THE vermont native and OLYMPIC MEDALIST has signed A PROFESSIONAL rugby CONTRACT WITH THE BRISTOL BEARS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. MAHER WAS A PART OF THE FIRST WOMEN'S RUGBY TEAM TO MEDAL FOR THE UNITED STATES IN RUGBY 7'S.

Hodgson, who temporarily leaves United Rugby Championship side Edinburgh, joins the Bears amid a shortage in the second row position with Joe Batley, Josh Caulfield, Steele Barker and George Taylor all out due to injury.

After three years playing in sevens, USA star Ilona Maher will join Premiership Women's Rugby side Bristol Bears in January on a three-month contract.