Sunderland Women sign Scotland international Brianna Westrup | OneFootball

Alex Todd/SPP

Sunderland Women have signed 25-year-old Scotland international centre-back Brianna Westrup after her two-year spell at Rangers.

Westrup goes straight into Mel Reay’s squad for their final pre-season friendly on Sunday against Nottingham Forest at Eppleton.

The former Newcastle United player told safc.co.uk: “I’m absolutely delighted to sign here and I’m really excited to be back in the North East.

“I left in 2020 to join Rangers, and we had a really successful season last year as we won the league for the first time. I feel that it’s the right time now to find a new challenge.

“I’m looking forward to bringing more experience to the squad – it’s always great to see the potential develop of younger players, too, and I’m excited to work with them. I’ve heard great things about Mel and Steph for a number of years – they’re a great partnership, and I’m looking forward to being a part of the project here.”

General Manager Alex Clark said: “Brianna fits the profile of the other four players we have brought in the summer – great experience, a good leader, and an international who has played at a high level.

“We were looking to recruit in the centre of defence, an area we felt we were a little light in following Abby Towers’ knee injury. Last season we operated with an average squad age of 21 – the average squad age in the Championship is 24 – so it was vital we brought in the experience that we have done.”

Women’s pre-season friendlies for 13 & 14 August