LCFC Women WSL Academy Graduates Join First Team Environment

- Four graduates of LCFC Women’s WSL Academy to train full-time with the first team
- Three players will also compete for game time on dual-registration loans
- Monique Robinson, Sophia Poor and Mackenzie Smith are heading out on loan
- Ava Baker will remain with the LCFC Women first team squad on a full-time basis

Monique Robinson, 17 and Sophia Poor, 16 will both make the step into the senior game with FA Women's National League outfit Loughborough Lightning, having graduated from LCFC Women’s WSL Academy last season.

Fellow team-mate Mackenzie Smith 17 also takes her first strides into the professional game, having joined Nottingham Forest on loan while also retaining dual-registration status.

Now fully integrated into Lydia Bedford’s first team environment, the trio will compete for matchday minutes with their respective loan clubs, while training full-time at Belvoir Drive to provide further selection options to City’s coaching staff.

During Ava Baker’s debut season in a City shirt, the 16-year-old made four appearances for the Foxes – two of which came in Barclays Women’s Super League action – and she will now make the leap into full-time football with LCFC Women.

Lydia Bedford said: “Alongside building a competitive Barclays Women’s Super League first team, it’s imperative for the development of LCFC Women to provide a twin track opportunity to support our best young players in their development and transition to senior football from our WSL Academy system. 

“This season, we are including Ava Baker, Mackenzie Smith, Monique Robinson, and Sophia Poor in our first team squad. They will be training in a full-time programme as part of our senior environment, while spending time out on loan in the FA National League on a dual-registration basis.”

The youngsters heading out on loan will now link up with their respective clubs ahead of the new FA Women’s National League campaign, which is set to get underway in August.