Manchester United Women’s Safia Middleton-Patel and Jess Simpson have put pen-to-paper on their first professional contracts with the club.
The duo comprised the Under-21 WSL Academy League and cup-winning side last season, before stepping up to the first team this season.
Simpson, who has been at the club since the age of 11, made her first appearance in the 10-0 friendly victory over Birkirkara FC in Malta. Meanwhile, Middleton-Patel, who has called the club home since the age of 15, has served as back-up to Mary Earps, Sophie Baggaley and Emily Ramsay and made impressive strides in the Welsh national team set-up.
With their respective signings, the goalkeeper and defender become the tenth and eleventh academy graduates to sign for the women’s first team since its reformation in 2018.
READ MORE: Manchester United's WSL U21 academy make the finals for the second consecutive year
And first-team manager Marc Skinner considered the pair’s professional contracts as testament to the youth pathway the club is beginning to boast. United’s under-21s will fight to retain their Academy League title when they face Chelsea at the Cobham Training Centre in the near future.
On their signings, both players expressed their obvious delight. Middleton-Patel called the experience “surreal”, while Simpson considered it a dream come true “since being a little kid”.
On her contract, Middleton-Patel told the club website: “I’m over the moon to sign professionally with Manchester United. It’s a surreal moment for me and my family.
"I have to say a massive thank you to all the staff - everyone has been amazing with me throughout my journey to get here.”
Simpson echoed her teammate's sentiments: “I’m super excited to sign professional at this wonderful football club. It’s so special.
“It’s been such a good journey here, starting from 11 years old with the Academy. It’s been my dream since being a little kid to play for Manchester United, and I’m living that dream now.”
United sit top of the Women’s Super League level on points with Chelsea. They return to action on Sunday when they travel to Championship side Sunderland in the fourth round of the FA Women’s Cup.
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