Newcastle Women making big moves! Magpies confirm signing of Lionesses' Euro 2022 winner as they target promotion to WSL

The Magpies confirmed on Wednesday that they have signed Demi Stokes on a free transfer from Manchester City, after her nine-year stay at the club came to an end last month. The left-back helped the Cityzens win nine major honours in her time there and was also a regular with England for a long time, winning 69 caps.

It continues an impressive string of signings for Newcastle, following promotion to the second tier just a few months ago. On Tuesday, they signed Claudia Moan, the 2023-24 Championship Player of the Season, from local rivals Sunderland, having already added Jamaica international Shania Hayles, former Chelsea defender Deanna Cooper and exciting forward Amy Andrews to the squad in a busy start to the summer transfer window.

Stokes, who came through the Sunderland set-up as a youngster, said: "I am thrilled to be joining Newcastle United and returning home to the north east. I still have so much to give on the pitch and I’m excited to bring my experience to a club with such big ambitions. From the moment I spoke to the club, I felt valued and knew this was the right place for me to contribute to an exciting, new project. I can’t wait to get going and meet the team."

Following the injection of cash from new ownership, Newcastle have big ambitions to reach the top of the women's game as quickly as possible. Co-owner Amanda Staveley, who is actually set to leave the club it was revealed on Wednesday, has said previously that she wants the Magpies to be playing in the Women's Champions League by the 2027-28 season.

As they prepare for their first season in the Women's Championship, the Magpies will hope that Stokes, still only 32 years old and with a wealth of experience, can help them achieve such lofty aims, starting with promotion to the WSL.