Sunderland Women face major summer rebuild as eight departures confirmed | OneFootball

According to Sunderland Echo, eight players will leave Sunderland Women this summer, prompting a major squad rebuild.

Among those is defender Louise Griffiths, who made 144 appearances across a nine-year spell and helped the club climb from the third tier. Midfielder Libbi McInnes, the club’s 2025 young player of the year, is also departing.

Goalkeepers Demi Lambourne and Grace Moloney will move on, as will forward Ellen Jones. Hannah Greenwood, Jamie Finn and Reanna Blades are also leaving. Loanees Mared Griffiths and Caragh Hamilton have returned to Manchester United and Nottingham Forest.

Sunderland have recently tied down forwards Katy Watson and Emily Scarr and midfielder Natasha Fenton to new contracts. Offers are on the table for Jessica Brown and Eleanor Dale, who are out of contract as it stands.

Several youngsters have signed first professional deals and will step up, although further signings are still required. A proposed takeover by US group Bay Collective is awaiting approval, which would enable significant summer investment and backroom appointments.

The group are expected to prioritise sustainable development rather than a radical overhaul. Earlier this year, head coach Mel Reay said she believed the plans were positive and exciting, while noting league ratification is still pending and that she could not add more.

With the loanees gone, Sunderland currently have 10 senior players contracted for next season, plus five youngsters on professional terms. They finished eighth in the WSL 2 last season and will continue to operate from the Academy of Light once the takeover is approved, with Sunderland retaining a minority stake.

Source: Sunderland Echo