IRELAND DEFENDER SOPHIE Perry is on the lookout for a new club after her departure from Brighton and Hove Albion was confirmed today.
The club have announced that the Girls in Green international along with US-born goalkeeper Lucy Gillett “will leave the club at the expiration of their contracts after not being offered new deals”.
32-year-old Perry was born in Brighton, and started her club career there. She spent stints at the Arsenal academy, Chelsea and Reading before re-joining her childhood club in January 2017.
Perry was central to the Seagulls squad that secured promotion to the Women’s Championship, as it’s called now, in 2015 and was there this season for some of their debut year in the Women’s Super League — the English top flight.
She made 13 appearances and scored one goal in all competitions before being sent on loan to second-tier outfit Lewes in January.
📝 Lucy Gillett and Sophie Perry will leave the club at the expiration of their contracts after not being offered new deals.#BHAFC 🔵⚪️
— Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽️ (@OfficialBHAFC) May 14, 2019
“It’s always difficult to make these decisions but it is the reality of how far the club has come in recent years,” manager Hope Powell said.
“Both Sophie and Lucy have made great contributions to the team both on and off the pitch during their time here and we wish them the best of success in their respective future careers.”
Brighton went on to finish 9th in this year’s league, which Arsenal won, as they finished with four wins, four draws and 12 losses.
Having represented England up to U23 level, Perry received her first Ireland senior call-up in 2012. Often a central part of Colin Bell’s side, she’s excelled in defence whenever she’s been called upon, particularly in last year’s World Cup qualifiers.
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