McKenna signs for Birmingham City Women

Northern Ireland defender Rebecca McKenna has joined Women’s Super League club Birmingham City Women.

The 23-year-old, who has 43 caps for her country, has penned a two-year deal with the Blues Women.

She moved to Barclays WSL club Charlton Athletic from the Women’s Championship, for whom she played 25 times last season.

McKenna started his career at Glentoran before moving to Linfield. After winning three titles with Belfast Blues, she moved to England in 2021, signing for the then Lewes Women’s side.

She spent two seasons with Lewes before spending last season with Charlton.

She told the Birmingham City Women website: “I want to get in and get out now. I’m excited to meet the girls. In the long run, this club is what it’s all about.

“I spoke to Amy (Birmingham City women’s head coach Merricks) and seeing where they want to take this club is what attracted me.

“I was coached by her for a short time, but to know the impact she had in such a short time says a lot about her as a coach.”

McKenna’s move to Blues Women follows fellow Northern Ireland defender Laura Rafferty’s move to Rangers Women from Southampton Women.

A handful of other Northern Ireland Women’s players are expected to be on the move in the coming weeks, including striker Simone Magill, who left Aston Villa Women, and attacking midfielder Caragh Hamilton, who left Lewes after they were relegated from last season’s Championship.

Northern Ireland’s squad for the upcoming UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 qualifiers against Malta and Bosnia and Herzegovina is to be announced by senior women’s boss Tanya Oxtoby tomorrow.