Bolton Wanderers Women is delighted to confirm the signing of former Burnley defender, Lucy Walsh.
The Bolton-born central defender links up with Myles Smith’s side and becomes the latest arrival to carry experience higher up the pyramid as Wanderers take the step into Tier 5 this season.
With the Whites already strengthening at the top-end of the pitch this summer through former Leeds United forward Abbie Brown, Lucy arrives at the club to bolster the back-line, alongside the permanent return of goalkeeper Annabelle White.
Starting out her career in the youth ranks at Everton, Lucy made the move to Burnley in the summer of 2022 and impressed hugely for the Clarets, playing in every league match of the 2022/23 campaign.
Subsequent loan spells followed for Lucy in search of further game time and experience, with Liverpool Feds and Halifax Town becoming temporary homes for Lucy in Tier Three of the women's pyramid.
Now joining Wanderers Women - a club she knows well with both her grandparents having been Season Ticket holders with the club for decades - Lucy will link up with her teammates for pre-season ahead of the new campaign.
On signing for Wanderers, Lucy Walsh said: "It’s a really proud moment for me and my family.
“It means a lot. I’ve been to games here myself, my grandparents are Season Ticket holders, so it’s special. I’m from the town and it’s a really nice moment for my family, as well as myself.
“When I spoke to Myles, he told me of the club’s ambitions to go up the pyramid and improve year-on-year. As a player, that’s what you want to hear. With the ambition of the club and where they want to get to, it’s a place where I can see myself thriving.
“This isn’t a team that wants to be comfortable. It wants to get better and get to the next level, and I want the same.”
Myles Smith, Women’s Team Manager, said: “We are thrilled to get this signing done and officially welcome Lucy to the club.
“When we realised that there was a possibility to make this signing happen, we moved quickly to get it done.
“Not only can Lucy make an immense contribution to our team this season - with her experience in higher tiers a huge benefit to us as we make the step-up to Tier 5 - but her arrival is also with a longer-term view in mind as we look to strive to continue the hard work of the previous 12 months on this exciting journey.
“She arrives into a team to add competition for places to our backline and as someone who hails from this area, knows what it means to play for this Football Club.”