All things come in threes
Following the recent announcement this week that Brooke Chaplen will be become the new General Manager of the club, after recently retiring from professional football, the club are pleased to extend deals for three current players.
Defenders Deanna Cooper and Lily Woodham, who have made a combined 90 appearances for Reading, and put pen to paper on new two-year deals, whilst Tia Primmer has signed her first professional contract.
Central defender, Deanna Cooper, joined Reading back in 2020 arriving from Chelsea FC. Upon the arrival of Cooper, Kelly Chambers emphasised the importance of having someone with such experience in high pressured games, “Bringing in the likes of Deanna, she’s come from a top club and the experience of playing at the highest level can help us.
“Playing in the position she [Deanna] does, you need to be a leader, and having played at Chelsea it will help other members of the team raise their level of performance.”
On extending her stay at the Royals for a further two years, Cooper highlighted the affection she has with this group of players which made it an easy decision to stay on, “I have obviously really enjoyed the last two years since I joined.
“Getting to train and play with the girls, staff, just makes me fall in love with this job everyday and I am so grateful that I get the chance to do this for another two years.”
As well as Deanna Cooper, Royals have secured the immediate future of full-back Lily Woodham who has also penned another two-year deal, keeping her at the club till 2024.
The 21-year-old first joined up with Reading back in 2018 from Bristol City at just 18 years old, and was a regular feature in Chambers’ side last season making 26 appearances.
Woodham looks set to achieve a milestone next season, being three appearances away from representing the Royals 50 times, speaking on how she has developed over her time as a Royal she said "When I first joined, it took me a while to prove myself, and now I feel completely trusted by the staff which has only helped boost my confidence in my own abilities.
"I have loved being here, being involved in every game I have, and learning from some of the best in the game the likes of Fara Williams, Brooke Chaplen.
"Looking ahead to the next 50, it's all about continuing to improve, repaying the faith Kelly and all the coaches put in me, and hopefully getting my first goal!"
The day also marks a special moment for academy graduate Tia Primmer, who has signed her first professional contract with the club.
Primmer made plenty of headlines in her debut season, scoring the winning goal in a dramatic Vitality Women’s FA Cup match again Brighton, then seven days later scoring the winner against Everton in the Barclays Women’s Super League.
The Reading graduate went on to make 14 appearances throughout the season, and summarised her journey as so, “It's been a bit of a rollercoaster if I'm honest" Primmer started.
"I remember being called up for my first senior team training session, now I sit here with my first pro deal...I've loved every single moment.
"Seeing the likes of Lily, Emma [Harries] and Bethan [Roberts], come through the academy it of course gives you belief that you can follow in their footsteps.
"Now it's time to work even harder to cement my place in this team, improve on my numbers, and help the team push on."
