“I’m really grateful for the opportunity and I just want to repay the desire Kelly showed to get me here”
Reading FC Women are pleased to announce the signing of Diane Caldwell after her contract with Manchester United expired.
The 33-year-old, Republic of Ireland international, joins up with Kelly Chambers’ squad ahead of the new season having been involved in the Women’s Super League last season with Manchester United.
Caldwell started her career in Ireland with Raheny United before she moved to the USA to play at University level for Hofstra Pride. Over her 3-year-spell with Hofstra, she made 76 appearances scoring 8 times. This then earned her a move into the USL W-League with Hudson Valley Quickstrike in 2010.
Following on from a spell at Albany Alleycats, the defender, moved to Iceland to play for Ϸór/KA in 2011, where she gained UEFA Women’s Champions League experience in her short stint with the club.
A 4-season stint in Norway followed with then ‘Norwegian 1. Divisjon’ side Avaldsnes IL, where Caldwell played a total 57 times. In her first season with the club, she played 20 of 22 games as Avaldsnes finished top of the league and won promotion to the ‘Toppserien’. 4th place, 5th place and 2nd place finishes followed for Caldwell and Avaldsnes with her final season there seeing the club qualify for the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
A stint in Germany was next for Caldwell as she signed a short-term deal with Bundesliga side 1. FC Köln in 2016 before then joining SC Sand. She made 93 appearances for the club including the 2017 DFB-Pokal Final. A COVID-19 disrupted spell in Germany saw Caldwell and her teammates volunteer as farm labourers to pick asparagus and strawberries due to the worker shortage. In her final season in Germany she was named club captain at SC Sands before leaving midway through the season to pursue a new opportunity.
Caldwell returned to the USA, signing for North Carolina Courage on a one-year-deal in January 2019. A year later she signed a short term deal with Women’s Super League side Manchester United.
Caldwell broke into the Republic of Ireland Under 17’s at 14-years-old before then playing in the 2005 and 2006 UEFA Women’s Under-19 Championship. She made her senior debut for the Republic of Ireland International side aged 17 in the 2006 Algarve cup. Caldwell has amassed 87 caps scoring 4 times internationally and took captaincy for the first time at the 2022 Pinatar Cup.
Upon arriving at Reading's Bearwood Training Facilities this week, Caldwell spoke of her excitement to get the chance to train with her new team mates, and now the hard work begins in repaying the faith shown in her by Chambers and the rest of the coaching team.
“It is really great to be here and excited to finally in training with the with the team.
“I’m excited to really get down to work and get to know everyone better. Kelly [Chambers] had a massive impact on me choosing to come here, I had many great conversations with her before arriving, including what she is looking for me to bring and her objectives for the upcoming season.
“The enthusiasm and faith that she's shown in me, has meant a lot, when you have a coach who expresses their desire to bring you to a club it instantly makes you feel attached and ready to fight for the shirt.
“Having been here a couple of days now, I've been really impressed with everyone's attitudes in training the work ethic has been excellent, and I cannot wait for the season to begin!"
Caldwell's Curtain Raiser
Our Pre-Season campaign kicked off on the road against Bristol City WFC last weekend, as the squad stepped up their preparations for the season opener against Liverpool at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Sunday 11th September in a 2pm kick off.
Be there to watch Caldwell and the rest of the Royals squad in action, and back the team for the season opener. Tickets are on sale now with prices starting from £4.
Roar on the Royals in 2022-23
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