Josie is a Royal
We are thrilled to introduce our latest signing, Josie Longhurst, who has officially joined the Reading FC Women family on a permanent deal, marking another exciting addition to the squad under the guidance of manager Liam Gilbert.
Josie, a highly talented midfielder, arrives at the Royals after a notable journey through the women's football circuit. Her footballing odyssey began with WSL side Brighton and Hove Albion in 2020, following her stint with Cardiff City.
After a year of dedicated training and development within the academy, Josie embarked on a dual registration contract with Lewes FC. This arrangement allowed her to shine in the Championship, and she made quite an impression during her time with the East Sussex side. Her remarkable performances earned her the distinction of becoming Scott Booth's first signing in the 2022/2023 summer transfer window.
While Josie's exposure to Championship football has been relatively limited so far, the 21-year-old midfielder has showcased her immense potential to compete at the highest level of the game, offering a bright and promising career ahead.
In addition to her club endeavors, Josie has also made her mark on the international stage, representing Wales in five appearances at both the U17 and U19 levels. In just her second game for the national team, she notched a crucial goal in the 57th minute during a 2-0 victory over Albania. Josie continued to impress, making three more appearances in the U19 UEFA qualifiers.
The entire Reading FC Women family extends a warm welcome to Josie as she dons the famous blue and white shirt. We are eager to see her talent in our midfielder and make her mark in RG2.