Ipswich Town Women have signed forward Lucy Watson on loan from Chelsea for the rest of the season.
The 21-year-old, who has been with Southampton during the first half of the campaign, helped Crystal Palace to the Women’s Championship title last season, while also on loan, having joined the West Londoners from Sheffield United in 2022.
She has won caps at U17 and U19 levels with England and had a spell on loan with Charlton in 2022/23, however, an ACL injury cut her season short.
"It’s really exciting to be here and I can’t wait to get started properly,” the Barnsley-born attacker told the club site. "[Manager] Joe [Sheehan]’s been so positive and it’s great to hear how much he is backing me, which is what I need at this stage of my career.
"I’m a direct player who likes to get at defenders and score goals, so hopefully you will be seeing a lot of that during my time here.
"The club has got such a nice feel about it and I can’t wait to get out there and show what I can do.”
Sheehan added: "Lucy is a really top, talented player and will be a great addition to the team.
"She was deemed to be one of England’s brightest prospects following her successful period at Sheffield United.
"Since her move to Chelsea Lucy has had a disrupted time, but if we can give her some consistency then she will make a huge impact for us for the remainder of the season.
"We want to give her a good run of games in an environment which can hopefully develop her, and have a successful time together from now until the end of the campaign.”
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Rachel Harris, Town Women’s general manager, said: "We are delighted to bring Lucy to the club for what we hope will be a positive second half of the season.
"Lucy possesses so many great attributes that we look for in an attacking player as well as some brilliant experience in the Women’s Championship, so we’re excited to have her in the group.”
Watson will wear the number 14 shirt while with Town.