Reading Women FC have announced that captain Lily Woodham is to depart the club for NWSL club Seattle Reign.
Reign are one of the top sides in NWSL and are packed with international talent including former Chelsea player Ji So-yun and Canada’s Quin. They were also the club Megan Rapinoe played for until she retired from the game last year and were runners up in the NWSL Championship in 2023.
Despite the pan-Atlantic move she will join some familiar faces on the west coast of America. Jess Fishlock, who had a successful loan spell at Reading in 2021, has a decade-long association with the club and will be there to welcome her Welsh international team-mate Woodham.
“I’m thrilled and grateful to be joining Seattle Reign FC. This club has a history filled with success and I’m eager to contribute to the team as much as possible. Looking forward to playing in front of you all soon!” the now former Reading captain told the Reign website.
Another familiar face to Royals fans, midfielder Angharad James, is also making the move to Seattle Reign from WSL Tottenham Hotspur. This will mean three former Reading and Wales players together at Reign. The club are managed by Englishwoman and former Arsenal boss Laura Harvey.
Woodham has been a mainstay at Reading for the last two seasons and will undoubtedly be a huge loss for the side. Her final game for the club came in Reading’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Lewes at The Dripping Pan.
While this is a loss for Reading FC, we will be watching intently to see how her NWSL move goes and wish her all the best on her American adventure.
