Republic of Ireland defender Harriet Scott signs for Birmingham City

Republic of Ireland defender Harriet Scott has agreed to join WSL side Birmingham City Women following her departure from Reading.

A graduate of Reading’s Academy, Scott helped the Royals to promotion to the WSL in 2015 and to maintain their status since then.

Scott was a member of the Republic of Ireland Under-17 team that beat Germany en route to the European Championship final in 2010.

She then helped Ireland to the quarter finals of the under-17 World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago later that year before making her her senior international debut in the 2017 Cyprus Cup.

“I’ve watched on as the club have performed extremely well over the past couple of the seasons and it’s one of the reasons I felt Birmingham was the best place for me,” said Scott.

The FAI Senior Women’s International Player of the Year is attracted by the culture at Birmingham and the opportunity the move provides.

“From what I’ve seen Marc [Skinner, the Birmingham manager] do with other players here, I’m confident there’s more to come from me and I can continue to develop and improve under him.

“There’s a clear ethos and style of play here and so I hope I can come in and hit the ground running.”

Birmingham finished fifth in last season’s Women’s Super League and Harriet sees massive potential at Damson Park.

She added: “This Club has the ability to be among the best in the WSL and I’m really excited to be part of it.

“I always relished playing against Birmingham and now I’m on the other side so I can’t wait to get started.

“I’m a little later than the rest of the girls in joining up for pre-season so first of all I’ve got to settled in, get to know everybody and go from there."