SAINTS Women have confirmed that forward Sophia Pharoah has departed the club following the expiry of her contract.

With her deal expiring this summer, and an offer of re-engagement unable to be agreed, Pharoah has left the club after rising through the ranks.

She first joined Hampshire's centre of excellence at the age of eight, before moving to Southampton's regional talent centre nine years later.

Following a brief spell at Brighton, she returned to Saints ahead of the 2019/20 season and remained a key part of a historic journey to the Women's Championship.

Her time at the club ends just shy of a century of appearances to her name and a scorer of several important milestone goals over the years.

Pharoah struck the crucial strike in the 2021/22 play-off final against Wolves that sealed the club's promotion to the second tier.

A Saints statement said: "Southampton Football Club would like to thank Sophia for her efforts over the years and wish her the best moving forward."

Saints had earlier this summer confirmed the exit of regular starters Katie Wilkinson, Laura Rafferty and Ella Morris.

Club captain Rosie Parnell has also left, deciding to retire, while Lexi Lloyd-Smith, Megan Wynne, Beth Howard departed in the retained list.