Bolton Wanderers Women is delighted to announce the signing of Abbie Brown to bolster their attacking options ahead of the upcoming season.
The former Leeds United Player of the Year arrives at Wanderers after time spent in America, Portugal and Israel - as well as England - during her career, bringing both quality and experience to the Whites’ first-team squad.
Starting her career in Leeds United’s Centre of Excellence at the age of 14, Abbie moved across Yorkshire into open age football with Bradford City.
The United States of America then came calling for Abbie through an exciting scholarship opportunity, moving initially to Middle Tennessee State University, before transferring to Lenoir-Rhyne University in North Carolina for her final two years in search of further game time and experience.
It was during her final two years in which Abbie excelled. She was top goalscorer across both seasons whilst claiming a huge number of accolades (six) - including being named in the All-America Scholar Team and the All-State First Team in 2018.
Graduating with a degree in Sports and Exercise Science and playing semi-professionally for Asheville City in the States, Abbie’s career would then take her across Europe, firstly in the form of Valadaras Gaia in the top flight of Portuguese football before moving to Maccabi Emek Hefer in the Ligat Al Women, Isreal’s Premier Division.
With experience of differing philosophies and cultures under her belt, Abbie returned to the UK after her spell in Israel was cut short due to the pandemic and linked back up with Leeds United.
Her impressive displays did not go unnoticed, with her eye for goal and ability at the top end of the pitch earning her the 2021 Leeds United Women’s Player of the Year award, and continued that form in the 2022/23 season when finishing as the club's top goalscorer.
With experience in higher levels of the pyramid and undoubtedly adding fierce competition for places in attacking areas, Abbie will now link up with her new teammates as pre-season continues ahead of Wanderers’ first step into Tier Five under club operations.
Abbie Brown said: “I’m really excited to be joining.
"I’ve had a call with Myles and he spoke about the ambition that the club has and it sounded a really good place to be. That’s why I’m here.
“As a player you want to play at the highest level you can, and the ambition the club has to go through the pyramid is something I want to be part of.
“I’ve been in professional environments during my career, and what we have here replicates that - whether that be facilities to the way the club approaches the Women’s team.
“I’m an attacking player, like to score and assist, and I have a will to win. I know of the success they had last year, and being part of our attacking force going forward is exciting. I can’t wait to put the shirt on and get stuck in.”
Myles Smith, Women’s Team Manager, said: “We are delighted to welcome Abbie to Bolton Wanderers.
“Not only does she bring huge amounts of ability and pedigree given her career so far, she is a hugely motivated individual that will help to drive standards within our dressing room as we look to kick on again this season.
“With her career taking her across both America and Europe, and playing in leagues of varying styles and environments, Abbie arrives to us as an exciting, forward-thinking player that will add another dynamic to our attacking options.
“We look forward to seeing what she can produce in a Wanderers shirt moving forward!"