West Brom Women finalise deal for Rhianne Oakley
West Brom Women have announced the signing of forward Rhianne Oakley from Cardiff City.
Albion announced on Thursday (15 August) that Oakley, 23, joins the Black Country club after two years in the Welsh capital after previously playing for Swansea City.
The former Wales youth international was part of the Cardiff squad that won the Welsh Premier Women’s League and is now set to embark on her first season in English football with West Brom in the FA Women’s National League North.
West Brom Women continue to raid Cardiff Women
Oakley isn’t the first player to swap Cardiff for the Baggies this summer with midfielder Seren Watkins arriving in the West Midlands last week.
It seems that the Albion are proving to be a stepping stone for the best Welsh footballers who are trying to break into the English game, and that can only be a good thing for Siobhan Hodgetts-Still after Albion finished in a disappointing ninth place out of 12 teams last season.
While promotion could be just beyond their reach, improvement will no doubt be top of Hodgetts-Still’s list.
And it seems that her goals stack up well to Oakley’s as she heads to the club.
As quoted on West Brom’s official website, she said: “I’m extremely happy to make the move to the Albion.
“It’s such an exciting time to be a part of the club, since stepping through the door the staff and players have made me feel very welcome.
“I feel like my personal goals and aspirations align well with the team’s aims ths season and I can’t wait to get going.”
Oakley joins Shan Turner, Watkins, Ali Miller, Rubie Harris, Marlie Rhodes-Andrewain joining Albion Women this summer after the likes of Abi Loydon, Hayley Crackle, Janelle Straker and Steph Weston were all released at the end of last season.
Hodgetts-Still’s side will travel to Liverpool Feds in their season opener on Sunday.
In other West Brom news, Cardiff fans have all been saying the same thing about Karlan Grant this summer.
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