Grace McEwen signs first professional contract with Brighton | OneFootball

Grace McEwen signs her first professional contract (Photo courtesy of Brighton and Hove Albion)

Grace McEwen has signed her first professional contract with Women’s Super League side Brighton and Hove Albion.

McEwen, 18, joined Albion in 2023 from Charlton Athletic Academy and has made 27 appearances for the under-19s since her debut in 2023.

She joined WSL 2 side Portsmouth last season in a dual-registration arrangement to attain more senior football.

McEwen described herself at the time: “I’m a centre-back primarily and I’d say my best attributes are passing out from the back and dribbling forward with the ball.”

However, she ruptured an ACL in Pompey’s Women’s FA Cup win over Blackburn Rovers in January 2025.

She wrote on Instagram at the time: “I just wanted to say thank you to Portsmouth for the opportunities this season and to all the girls. Hugely grateful to Brighton for the support and care so far in my recovery.”

She added: “Setbacks happen, it’s a bump in the road but I will be back stronger.”

She won the Nike Cup with the under-19s in 2023 and was named in the first-team squad for a League Cup tie in November 2023 against West Ham United, coming on as a substitute late on.

She made her Women’s FA Cup debut for Brighton a few months later, featuring in a 6-0 win over Luton Town, still aged just 16.

And when she came on to the pitch as a substitute for Jorelyn Carabali against Manchester City in March 2024, she became Brighton’s youngest-ever WSL player.

‘High levels of professionalism’

Women’s and girls’ academy manager Perry Northeast said in a statement: “We’re delighted that Grace has signed her first professional contract and committed her future to the club.

“She’s a talented young defender who has shown great promise and development over the past few seasons at Brighton.

“During her loan spell at Portsmouth last season she continued to impress within a senior environment.  Unfortunately, her progress was disrupted by a long-term injury sustained halfway through the campaign.

“Despite the setback, she has demonstrated high levels of professionalism and resilience throughout her recovery and time at the club.”

Women’s under-19s head coach Danielle Bowman added “We’re really proud of Grace to make this commitment to the club – it’s quite an achievement for her and her family.

“Since she joined the club in 2023, she gives 100% both on and off the pitch.

“She’s had a challenging few months since her injury but she has shown great professionalism and is making positive strides in her rehab, and we’re looking forward to seeing her back on the pitch with her team-mates very soon.”