Sophie Peskett has signed a contract to become the first professional women’s player in the history of Ipswich Town.
The 18-year-old winger, who was the subject of interest from Women’s Super League clubs, has penned a two-year deal at Portman Road.
Sophie joined the Blues from the Essex RTC [Regional Talent Club] in the summer of 2019 initially as part of Town's WSL Academy squad. However, it wasn't long before she broke into the first-team, making her debut as a 16-year-old in the season opener against AFC Wimbledon shortly after her arrival.
The England U19 international scored her first senior goals for the club just a couple of weeks later as she helped Town to a 4-0 away victory over Kent Football United. A first senior hat-trick came the following month as Sophie's treble inspired the Tractor Girls to a huge 7-0 win against Stevenage.
She would go on to become a huge part of the squad which made history by becoming the first fourth tier side to reach the fifth round of the Women's FA Cup.
Sophie notched 11 goals and 15 assists on the way to winning the club's player of the year award in her first season in senior football. Her performances subsequently caught the eye of England scouts as she was called up to represent her country at U19 along with five of her Town teammates in March 2020, which set a record for the most players in a youth age group called up for their country from one single club.
Peskett picked up where she left off when the season recommenced in September 2020, registering five goals and four assists in just seven games before the season was once again curtailed due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
In total, Sophie has scored 16 goals and provided 19 assists in 26 appearances for the Tractor Girls.
In addition to her commitments to the Club, Sophie was also among a number of young players studying for her A-Levels at St Joseph's College as part of the ongoing partnership between the Club and the Ipswich-based school, before graduating this summer.
“It was a no-brainer for me really to sign a contract here,” Sophie told iFollow Ipswich.
She added: “I was a bit shocked at first, being the first to be offered a pro contract, but it’s an amazing feeling to get it done. The support I’ve had here, the opportunities I’ve had - it was easy to commit my future to Ipswich and it shows the intent of the Club that we are signing players now on pro contracts. I just can’t wait for the season to start.”
See the full interview with Sophie on iFollow Ipswich shortly.
Sophie joined the Blues from the Essex RTC [Regional Talent Club] in the summer of 2019 initially as part of Town's WSL Academy squad. However, it wasn't long before she broke into the first-team, making her debut as a 16-year-old in the season opener against AFC Wimbledon shortly after her arrival.
The England U19 international scored her first senior goals for the club just a couple of weeks later as she helped Town to a 4-0 away victory over Kent Football United. A first senior hat-trick came the following month as Sophie's treble inspired the Tractor Girls to a huge 7-0 win against Stevenage.
She would go on to become a huge part of the squad which made history by becoming the first fourth tier side to reach the fifth round of the Women's FA Cup.
Sophie notched 11 goals and 15 assists on the way to winning the club's player of the year award in her first season in senior football. Her performances subsequently caught the eye of England scouts as she was called up to represent her country at U19 along with five of her Town teammates in March 2020, which set a record for the most players in a youth age group called up for their country from one single club.
Peskett picked up where she left off when the season recommenced in September 2020, registering five goals and four assists in just seven games before the season was once again curtailed due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
In total, Sophie has scored 16 goals and provided 19 assists in 26 appearances for the Tractor Girls.
In addition to her commitments to the Club, Sophie was also among a number of young players studying for her A-Levels at St Joseph's College as part of the ongoing partnership between the Club and the Ipswich-based school, before graduating this summer.
“It was a no-brainer for me really to sign a contract here,” Sophie told iFollow Ipswich.
She added: “I was a bit shocked at first, being the first to be offered a pro contract, but it’s an amazing feeling to get it done. The support I’ve had here, the opportunities I’ve had - it was easy to commit my future to Ipswich and it shows the intent of the Club that we are signing players now on pro contracts. I just can’t wait for the season to start.”
See the full interview with Sophie on iFollow Ipswich shortly.
