Northern Ireland senior women’s international Ciara Watling has joined Southampton Women.
The midfielder makes the move to the Saints from Charlton Athletic as they prepare for their maiden season in the FA Women’s National League.
READ MORE: Flaherty and Burrows on the move
#SaintsFC Women capture another @NorthernIreland international! 😇
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) August 2, 2021
Welcome, @CiaraSherwood 👋
The move sees Watling link up with international teammate Laura Rafferty at Southampton as the team prepare for their first season in the FA Women’s National League.
“I came away from Charlton and was looking for a new team and a new experience. I came in and I just enjoyed it. I think it’s a club that can develop me,” Watling told the club’s website.
“It’s been great to see what the team has done, the way they want to go. They want to do what the men have done and work up from league to league. I definitely think with everything in place and the facilities, the management, the players, they can do that.
“For the season, I think we’ve got a real chance of even getting promoted again. I’m here to win things and I want to, whether that be the league, cups – that’d be great.”
Watling, who made her Northern Ireland debut in 2015, began her career at Charlton before spells at Millwall Lionesses and Crystal Palace. She then returned to her Charlton in 2020.
