Former Crystal Palace and Charlton Athletic midfielder Ciara Watling has joined FA Women’s National League South club Southampton according to reports on their official website.
The 28-year-old Northern Irish international links-up with The Saints ahead of their debut season in the FA Women’s National League Southern Premier. The player moves to the South Coast club after spending the last 18 months playing her football in the FA Women’s Championship with Charlton Athletic.
Watling enjoyed two spells with The Addicks with the Sidcup-born midfielder having started out with the South East Londoners in 2007, spending five years with the club in her initial spell. The midfielder has also turned out for Millwall Lionesses and Crystal Palace.
After completing her move to Southampton, Watling said “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.
“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 joins Northern Irish teammate Laura Rafferty in moving to Southampton in the summer transfer window.
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