Six permanent new signings, a season-long loan and three players on dual registration from Arsenal – it’s been a busy summer of transfer activity for Watford Women.
They are back in the Championship after winning promotion last season from the National League, and their season starts on Sunday when they host Durham (12pm, Wealdstone FC).
Head coach Damon Lathrope has bolstered his squad in all areas of the pitch, and here the Watford boss tells us a bit about each of his new signings:
Corinne Henson (defender from Charlton Athletic): “She was previously with us at Watford, and is a good, strong athletic girl. She gives us a nice balance being left-sided, and has played a lot of games in the Championship for her age. Being versatile in where she can play means we have real options.”
Carly Johns (striker from Oxford United): “Carly is a very intelligent player with bundles of potential. I think our style of football will bring the best out in her, and as the season goes on she’ll have a big impact on the team. Her movement is of a very high level and I expect her to score goals.”
Lucia Leon (defender from Real Betis): “She’s played at the top level in this country with Tottenham in the WSL, and she’s previously won the Championship as well. Lucia is captain of her country, Dominican Republic, and is still only 27 and has her best years ahead of her in my opinion. She’s just spent two years in the top league in Spain, so as you can imagine she’s technically really good.”
Abbie Lafayette (defender from Ipswich Town): “Abs caught our eye when we came up against her last season playing for Ipswich. When we look at the profile we wanted to recruit, she ticks the boxes: a great athlete and technically very good. She’ll need time to adapt to a higher league but she’s a player I expect to kick on over time.”
Olivia Clark (goalkeeper on season-long loan from Bristol City): “Having won this league last year Liv has come to us from Bristol for the season. She is the Welsh national team No.1 and has had some great experience with them – she played against the USA before they went to the World Cup. She wants to be a regular starter, and she’ll compete with Jacqui Goldsmid who did great for us last season.”
Coral Haines (midfielder from Crystal Palace): “Coral has played in the WSL with Spurs and, like Lucia, she has won the Championship. Palace were very keen to keep hold of her but her commitments away from football made signing her an option for us, and we’re over the moon because there would have been a lot of suitors for her. A progressive player with a great range of passing.”
Harley Bennett (defender from London City Lionesses): “She has been the London City captain for the last four years, and they have been one of the best teams in the Championship. To get Harley is a hell of a signing for us because of her experience and because she is an absolute leader. She also gives us extra height within the team.”
Michelle Agyemang (forward on dual-registration from Arsenal): “Michelle is probably one of the biggest prospects in the game. She’s still only 17 but she’s already scored for the Arsenal first team in a competitive game, and she played in the Champions League semi-final. She could have hand-picked any Championship team to go to, and we are very fortunate to get her.”
Katie Reid (defender on dual-registration from Arsenal): “I would be very surprised if we don’t see Katie Reid wearing the England senior shirt in four or five years’ time. She is only 16 but plays well above her age: strong, physical, quick, everything you would want in a modern-day centre half. I’d have absolutely no issue whatsoever in starting her in our team.”
Laila Herbert (midfielder on dual-registration from Arsenal): “Laila is a cultured midfield player. Again she is exactly the profile of player we are looking for. She’s got a really nice passing range, and plays off both feet: that sitting midfielder who is a bit like a quarterback. I expect her to have a very big impact on our season – I’ll be very surprised if she doesn’t go to the top of the game.”
For those not familiar with how dual-registration signings work in the women’s game, Lathrope explained the latter trio are still Arsenal players and can play for them and the Hornets.
“The rules have changed this year. They are Arsenal players but can play for Watford and Arsenal, even in the same week if they like, because we are at different levels,” he said.
“We have an agreement that we have them on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and Arsenal have them on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
“The rules changing have helped us as we’ll probably have more access to them than was the case previously.
“Of course, Arsenal could recall them at any point. They are their players, they aren’t our players.
“There’s no fixed term but we’ve agreed verbally with Arsenal that it’ll be for the season.
“But they’re Arsenal players, and if they want them back to play in their first team then they go. And we wouldn’t want to hold them back, as we want them to progress and play at the highest level they possibly can.
“While we have them we will be very grateful to Arsenal, and we’ll use them.”
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