Karl Watson’s side add to their forward line with the signing of former Southampton FC Women and England Under-17 International Sophia Pharoah
Pharoah came through the ranks at Brighton and Hove Albion during her youth days, before moving west to Southampton, where she went on to make over 48 appearances across four seasons for the WSL2 side.
The 25-year-old had an impressive season in the second tier of women’s football during the 23/24 campaign, where she recorded eight goals in 18 games for the Saints.
In that same season, Pharoah was nominated for both player and goal of the month for February 2024.
In 2022, Sophia scored the winning goal for Southampton in the 2022 FA Women’s National League Play-Off Final, which promoted Saints to what at the time was known as the ‘Women’s Championship’.
Not only did Pharoah score the winning goal against Wolverhampton Wanderers, but she was also awarded the Player of the Match award that day.
Nine years ago, in 2016, Sophia made history for Southampton when she became the first player from the Saints’ Regional Talent Club to play a competitive fixture at an international level for England.
Show us a better brace, we’ll wait 😏
Take a bow, @Sophiapharoah_ 🔥 pic.twitter.com/XOdvROkni5
— Southampton FC Women (@SaintsFCWomen) January 21, 2024
On the signing, first-team manager Karl Watson said: “To say I am excited by the signing of Sophia is an understatement.
I have known her for a fair few years as she played in the same Centre of Excellence side as my daughter.
Not many players have career and education as she has had through England Youth and into the Southampton first-team as a full-time professional.
It is incredible for us to get this signing done, maybe Father Christmas is real! #UpTheMoneys”
On joining Watson’s side, Sophia stated: “I am extremely happy to get the deal over the line, and I can not wait to start enjoying my football again.
The environment that has been created is really good, being in and around the girls already, and the staff have all been so welcoming, and the football that the girls play it is a really exciting time for Moneyfields.”
On what Moneys fans can expect from Pharoah on the pitch, Sophia added: “Some excitement and some creativity on the ball, and hopefully I can go out there and show that to everyone.”
