Crystal Palace goalkeeper Smith joins Millwall Lionesses on loan | OneFootball

Crystal Palace goalkeeper Hope Smith has joined the club’s South London neighbours Millwall Lionesses on a loan deal for the remainder of the season.

The Lionesses announced the news via a post on their official club Twitter account earlier this evening.

The 19-year-old is in desperate need of game time to help her develop and she should get that with a Millwall Lionesses side who play their football in the London & South East Regional Women’s Premier Division. The South Londoners went into the Christmas break with some momentum after defeating AFC Acorns 6-0 in their last match.

Goalkeeper Smith moves to Millwall Lionesses on the back of a frustrating first half of the season at parent club Crystal Palace. The youngster has plenty of potential but she is currently behind first-choice goalkeeper Fran Kitching and her back-up Natalia Negri. Smith hasn’t been named in a matchday squad for The Eagles this season.

Smith joined Crystal Palace ahead of the 2021/2022 season following a short spell with London City Lionesses. The youngster came off the bench to make one appearance for The Eagles last season. The player did enough to be retained by the club for their first year as a full-time professional operation.

The keeper could be a member of the Millwall Lionesses squad for the first time when they face Dartford on Sunday afternoon.