Southampton sign New Zealand international defender Ward | OneFootball

Southampton have completed the signing of New Zealand international defender Ashleigh Ward according to reports on the club’s official website.

The 27-year-old moves to St Mary’s Stadium from FA Women’s National League South East club  Actionians.

Ward has two senior international caps to her name for New Zealand. The player made her debut for The Ford Football Ferns against South Korea last November. Ward went to the United States with her country in February for the 2022 SheBelieves Cup before picking up her second cap in an international friendly against Australia in April.

The addition of Ward is another positive move by Southampton who could do very well in their first season in the Barclays Women’s Championship.

After completing her move to St Mary’s Stadium, Ward said “I’m very excited to be here, get in with the girls and get started. It’s an opportunity that I never thought I’d have.

“I saw the development and progression that Saints had in the women’s game and I was excited to be part of that journey and help with that, as well as see myself develop in my footballing career as well.”

Ward is Southampton manager Marieanne Spacey-Cale’s seventh signing of the summer transfer window.