Belles Sign Walton

Doncaster Rovers Belles are delighted to announce the signing of England Under 23 international defender/midfielder Sophie Walton from Leeds Carnegie LFC.

20-year-old Walton was voted Leeds Carnegie's Player's Player Of The Year last season making 28 appearances in all competitions, helping the club reach fourth place in the Premier League and to win the 2010 FA Women's Premier League Cup Final with a 3-1 win over Everton resulting in Leeds winning the trophy for the first time in the club's history.

Sophie is a product of the successful Leeds youth system, indeed making her first team debut aged just 15. At Leeds, Sophie excelled at her home town club going on to play in four domestic cup finals and helping the club to become a real force in the women's game.

But before Sophie's joy of winning the 2010 FA Women's Premier League Cup the versatile player tasted defeat at the hands of the mighty Arsenal in the 2006 and 2008 FA Cup Final's and the 2007 League Cup Final.

Doncaster Rovers Belles Manager John Buckley pictured with new signing Sophie Walton. Picture- Holly Allen.

Sophie has represented England at Under 15, Under 17, Under 19, Under 20 and Under 23 levels. In 2006 Sophie was a member of the Under 17 squad that won the Nationwide Tournament and a year later she was in the Under 19 squad that were runners up to Germany in the UEFA European Championship's in Iceland. In 2008 Sophie was selected to go to the Under 20 World Cup where they were beaten quarter finalists by the USA in Chile.

Football runs in the Walton family with brother Simon being a professional footballer currently playing for Sheffield United and her parents Sue & Steve both heavily involved with Leeds United LFC.

Sophie 'I think Doncaster is the ideal & best suited club for me. It was hard to leave Leeds especially due to the circumstances but once I'd spoken to the manager & his staff my mind was made up to come here. I know a number of the Belles girls already Chelsea, Rachel & Margey which will help me settle in. I can't wait to get started and hope that my experience can help the club compete at the top end of the new FA Women's Super League'.

Rovers Belles Manager John Buckley 'We are delighted that we have been able to attract Sophie to the club. She will prove to be an excellent addition to the squad of that I'm sure. Sophie is a versatile, competitive player who is equally at home in defence or midfield. She has a lot of experience for her age having played in major domestic finals & major international competition's. Sophie has good passing ability, she reads the game well and above all else is a winner.'

Everyone at the club would like to wish Sophie well at her new club.

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