NEW SAINTS goalkeeper Sophie Harris revealed that she came to the decision to sign for Marieanne Spacey-Cale’s side after touring the club’s Staplewood facilities, stating that “it was a yes straight away.”

27-year-old Harris arrives at St Mary’s from top-flight outfit Leicester City alongside fellow recruits defender Paige Peake and striker Beth Lumsden, who joined from Ipswich Town and Oxford United, respectively.

READ MORE:

The Lincoln-born shot-stopper has previously represented well-established names in the women’s game, including Arsenal and a spell alongside England legend Hope Powell at Brighton.

However, despite playing for and working with some of the game’s best, Harris revealed that she had been wowed by the facilities at Staplewood, Saints’ training base.

In an interview with Saints’ website, Harris stated: “The women’s side is growing, and you can see, the clubs that I’ve been at so far, they’ve been great, the facilities have been great, but Southampton showed such great promise as well.

“I will say though that they’re an up-and-coming team, already you can see the facilities that the girls have got are great.

“You can see that they are integrated already, you can see how much of a club environment, all is one at Southampton.

“I’m just glad. As soon as I came down and Marianne (Spacey-Cale, Saints boss) showed me around, it was a yes straight away.

“It’s great. I moved down last week, and just straight away started with the girls at the weekend, been very welcoming. It’s a great place to be, so I’m excited to get going.

“They make you feel at home straight away, really integrated with everybody at the training ground.

“It’s been good so far – first training session out the way yesterday, I’m really excited. It looks like it is a positive environment, everyone, like I said, has just been so welcoming. I’m really happy to be here.

“They did so well last year, and I think that they’ve got good promise. Obviously want to establish themselves in the league, and hopefully I can help them do that with my experience in both leagues.”

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo.

Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website.

You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.

Don't take my word for it - subscribe here to see for yourself.

Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by joining our Facebook group - Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents

Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated Facebook group - Hampshire Court and Crime News