First Town Women's Professional Peskett Joins Brighton
Tuesday, 7th Jul 2026 16:26

Ipswich Town Women’s forward Sophie Peskett has joined WSL side Brighton & Hove Albion for a record fee.

Peskett, 23, became the club’s first ever women’s professional when she signed a deal in June 2021, having been part of the side which won promotion from the fourth tier that season.

She won back-to-back Golden Boot awards in FAWNL Southern Premier Division in 2023/24 and in 2024/25 as the Blues won promotion to WSL2 for the first time.

Last season, Peskett, who is from Hoddesdon in Hertfordshire, won the Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year awards and was joint-top scorer.

In addition, she won England caps up to U19 level while at Town and won the Philip-Hope Cobbold award recognising her work in the community in 2023.

“When I first joined this club in 2019 I could never have imagined the journey I would go on to have,” Peskett said.

“I have made memories which will last forever, including two promotions, several FA Cup runs and staying up in the WSL2 last season.

“To the fans, thank you for your unbelievable support. Whether it was a home game at the Martello Ground or travelling away to cheer us on, you've always backed us. Knowing you were behind us every week meant more than you'll ever know.

“I’d also like to thank all of my teammates and staff, past and present, for all the special moments we shared at the training ground, those long away days and on matchdays too.

“Watching the game grow and seeing this club continue to invest in the women's team has been amazing, and I know the best is still to come.

“I now look forward to supporting the team from afar and beginning my next chapter with Brighton. Thank you for everything.”

Technical director Sean Burt added: “Sophie has been a fantastic servant for this football club and leaves behind an incredible legacy.

“She has contributed heavily to our success over many years, however the opportunity to join a Women’s Super League club is one that is hard to turn down.

“What this does show is that there’s a pathway here in Suffolk for young aspiring female footballers who can reach the very top of the women’s game from within our environment. Sophie departs for Brighton with everyone’s best wishes for the future.”

Brighton first-team head coach Dario Vidosic said: “Sophie is a good attacking outlet - she got a decent return of goals and assists last season in WSL2.

“We believe she can make the step up to the WSL and we’re excited to give her the platform to test herself at the highest level.”

Photo: Matchday Images/ITFC

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victorysquad added 16:35 - Jul 7 Fair play, deserved, but Brighton, really? tinpot.
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Paulc added 16:40 - Jul 7 Brighton finishing 7th in the WSL last season is hardly tinpot is it! What a ridiculous comment.
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jas1972 added 16:40 - Jul 7 How much?
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armchaircritic59 added 16:44 - Jul 7 Didn't see that coming, but on reflection not a huge surprise given her ability. Best of luck Sophie and hopefully we will make our acquaintance with you in a couple of seasons time or so!
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Porksmith99 added 16:47 - Jul 7 Sad to see her go but genuinely happy for her. I hope Sophie continues to grow as a player and reaches the heights we all know she is capable of. Good luck Sophie
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Scuzzer added 16:58 - Jul 7 Dang it! My favourite player. Absolute star. Think they will struggle without her. Best of luck Pesky.
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victorysquad added 17:01 - Jul 7 Brighton are tinpot @Paulc, you can argue it as much as you like.
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cheeser added 17:12 - Jul 7 I live in Brighton, a Town fan since 1984. I don't think that Brighton is tinpot. The Amex stadium is no Portman Road, however, the club are going to start building a stadium especially for Brighton women, 20,000 capacity I think. It is going to very impressive.
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victorysquad added 17:16 - Jul 7 cheeser, I have no issue with people having a different opinion. I just think Brighton is somewhere Londoner's go when it is sunny. I remember visiting the Goldstone ground when there were 7,000 supporters there, I just don't think it is a football town like Ipswich / Pompey is.
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Mark added 17:29 - Jul 7 Sophie Peskett has been the stand out Ipswich player for years and I wish her well in the WSL. As for the record fee, I am struggling to think of another women's player we have sold. Peake when she went to Southampton maybe?
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Monkey_Blue added 17:41 - Jul 7 Gutted. She was outstanding but wish her the best because she clearly is good enough to play at the higher level.
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PhuketPete added 17:45 - Jul 7

This story is about Sophie not how we feel about Brighton. Who can blame her for wanting to take the chance to play in the WSL even though it won’t help our cause in WSL2.

But if we must bring Brighton into it, whilst we have the greater history, Brighton is a serious, established club in the top tiers of world football for both men and women - something we as yet still only aspire to. They are a club many look to as an inspiration for smaller club success in the modern era.

runningout added 18:17 - Jul 7 require a few tall robust pests to get women on track
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Razor added 18:24 - Jul 7 Desperately sad to see her go was little gem would love to know the fee and am sure we will get some more players in
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armchaircritic59 added 19:30 - Jul 7 As pointed out above this isn't an article about Brighton football club directly, but my take on the comparison between them and us is this. We have the potential to be the " bigger " club ( which needs realising, potential means nothing if it isn't realised ), but Brighton currently and certainly have the bragging rights.
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blueoutlook added 20:03 - Jul 7 What is the record fee then ?
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Dalty added 20:12 - Jul 7 Sad to hear her go, but also really pleased for her. To go from the 4th to the top tier is remarkable. Really hope she makes it, though if she doesn't I'm sure we'd welcome her back with open arms.
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OohArrPaulGoddard added 22:01 - Jul 7 Tinpot, tinpot, tinpot, what a great word I will endeavour to use it tomorrow in normal conversation. I have some sympathy for victorysquad’s assessment. Artificial tinpot perhaps. What with their new stadium “the Amex” and algorithmic recruitment methods. Maybe McKenna shares victorysquad’s assessment.
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cheeser added 22:03 - Jul 7 Victorysquad, I think you have a point about Ipswich and Portsmouth. It certainly isn't just a town Londoners go when it's sunny. For starters It's 3 times the size of Ipswich!
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guentchev123 added 00:34 - Jul 8 Really sad to see Sophie go but pleased to see her get a chance to prove herself at the top level. Thank you for being instrumental in the success of the ITFC women’s team Sophie
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blues1 added 08:20 - Jul 8 Cheese. Brighton isnt 3 times the size of ipswich. The population of Brighton, is laees thsn double that of ipswich. But then, the size of a football club has nothing to do with the size of the town/city its in.
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Monkey_Blue added 08:51 - Jul 8 There are far worse places to live than Brighton and far far worse clubs to play for. She’s earned her shot at the WSL and if you begrudge her that you have zero understanding of the game and more specifically the womens game where players need to make the most of their careers because it’s not one that will lead to mansions and Ferraris at this point.
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Westy added 12:23 - Jul 8 Disappointed she has left but to play at the highest level is a temptation given that it is such a short career.
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cpaz97 added 15:37 - Jul 8 Gutted we have lost Pesk, but anyone who watched her play last season saw just how ridiculously talented she is. So happy for her and wishing her all the best at Brighton. Nobody could turn down an opportunity like this.
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