Above: Ciara Watling signing for her second spell at Millwall. Photo: Millwall FC
By Myles Thornton
Over this weekend, Millwall Lionesses confirmed 2 new signings, one on Friday and one on Saturday morning.
The first was Northern Ireland international and Millwall fan Ciara Watling.
Watling brings bags of experience to this young Millwall side, starting her career at the age of 15 in the Charlton Athletic Academy, and made her first team debut for the Addicks in 2010.
After 20 professional appearances for the South London side, she moved to Millwall in 2012, and was there until 2016 making nearly 50 appearances.
Then, Watling signed for Crystal Palace in 2016 before departing there in 2020 to return to Charlton Athletic, before moving to the south coast and signing for Southampton in 2021 until 2023.
Born in Sidcup, the 31-year-old is a Northern Ireland international and has made 11 appearances since she made her debut in 2015.
Speaking to Millwall FC media, Lionesses co-manager Alex Russell said “Ciara is a fantastic addition to the group, both as a player and as a character. She brings a fantastic pedigree and a level of professionalism that will be infectious to the girls. I’m delighted she has returned and I look forward to seeing her in action.”
Millwall Media also spoke to Ciara Watling and she said, “I’m absolutely delighted to be back at Millwall Lionesses and can’t wait to get going again. I’m looking forward to playing competitively once again and I’m hoping for a very successful second half of the campaign.”
Ciara will bring a magnificent amount of experience to the Lionesses side and could slot in nicely alongside vice-captain Grace Seely, or Chloe Burr, or even Maizi Garwood who has 4 goals in her last 3 games.
There are a lot of youngsters in the Lionesses’ squad. So her wealth of experience in not only the women’s championship with all three of her previous clubs – Charlton Athletic, Crystal Palace, and Southampton – but also at international level with Northern Ireland means that she could pass along everything she has learned throughout her career for all of the young players to add to their game.
The second signing was from abroad, American forward Madison Grandys.
Above: Madison Grandys signing for Millwall Photo: Millwall FC
Madison Grandys, born in Chicago, has been playing football since the age of 4 and was in and out of clubs until being enrolled at the University of Illinois – Springfield.
The 22-year-old forward has set a record at her University in the US for most assists in a single season (8). She has played every single game in her 3 years at university.
Grandys, who hasn’t really had many injury problems in her career so far, will be a bright spark to the Lionesses side and will bring competition for co-managers Alex Russell and Adam Rowland when they are deciding who to start in attack.
Speaking to Madison about her thoughts regarding the move she said “I’m feeling good about the move, and excited to be a part of the team! Looking forward to playing at a high level with a great group of girls.”
Like her fellow new signing Ciara Watling, Madison could be lined up to make her Millwall debut on Sunday afternoon as the Lionesses face Ashford away from home in the London and South East Regional Women’s League.
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