Tractor Girls Make First Signing of Summer
Thursday, 24th Jun 2021 20:58

Ipswich Town Women have made ex-England youth international defender Olivia Smith their first signing of the summer.

Last season the 21-year-old, who has won 16 England caps from U16 to U19 level, played for the London Bees and Charlton in the Women's Championship.

Smith previously played for Town boss Joe Sheehan at Barking Abbey Girls and subsequently spent spells with Millwall and West Ham United before to moving to Chelsea at U15 level.

After four years with the West Londoners, she signed a scholarship with the University of Oklahoma.

A year later she transferred to UCF (University of Central Florida) before returning to the UK six months later when she rejoined West Ham, who she left in the summer of 2020 when she moved to the London Bees before switching to the Addicks in November.

Smith turned down a contract extension with Charlton at the end of the season after the club outlined its intention to turn fully professional, something which clashes with her career in the police force.

Following her departure from the Addicks, Olivia links up with Joe Sheehan for the second time and becomes the Blues' first signing of the summer ahead of the 2021/22 Women's National League Southern Premier Division season.

Meanwhile, the Tractor Girls have announced their retained list ahead of the 2021/22 campaign, their first in FAWNL Southern Premier Division.

Retained

First-Team Players

Lindsey Cooper
Lucy Egan
Anna Grey
Eva Hubbard
Eloise King
Abbie Lafayette
Paige Peake
Natasha Thomas
Blue Wilson

Joining Town's New Development Team

Olivia Billson

Academy Graduates

Zoe Barratt
Maddie Biggs
Maria Boswell
Abbie Jackson
Leonie Jackson
Kyra Robertson
Sophie Peskett

Academy Players

Sarah Brasero-Carriera
Issy Bryant
Summer Hughes
Nina Meollo
Lucy O'Brien
Sara Smith-Walter

Departing

Amy-Leigh Abrehart
Sasha Adamson
Nikita Runnacles
Molly Sutherland (university)
Lucy Williamson
Emma Wallis (university)