NewsFactfile: Seven things to know about new LFC Women defender Lily Woodham
Lily Woodham has become Liverpool FC Women's fourth recruit of the summer after arriving from Seattle Reign.
The Wales international completed a medical and signed a contract with the Reds at the AXA Melwood Training Centre on Monday.
Get to know the 24-year-old in the following factfile...
An experienced WSL player. Woodham has been around the Barclays Women's Super League since 2017, when she debuted with Bristol City. She gained further experience in the top flight during a long stint at Reading and a loan spell with Crystal Palace last season.
A regular for Wales. Woodham first represented her country at senior level in 2020, enjoying a scoring debut against the Faroe Islands in a European Championship qualifier. To date, she has 42 caps to her name – three of them coming from this summer's Women's Euro in Switzerland.
Her style of play. Speaking after Woodham's international bow, former Wales manager Jayne Ludlow said: "Technically, she's one of our best players." The left-back needs no invitation to fly down the channel to join in attacks and has been on the scoresheet three times for her country. "Her game acumen is high, she is a quality defender and an attacking threat from the back," Seattle Reign general manager Lesle Gallimore analysed.
She brings her leadership skills to Liverpool. Woodham was installed as Reading's captain at the start of their 2023-24 campaign in the FA Women's Championship before departing for Seattle. "I aspire to be a captain that leads on the pitch, is always encouraging and fighting for the girls as much as I can," she said after being handed the armband.
Who she admires in football. Woodham has revealed her footballing idol is a fellow left-footer. "When I was younger there wasn't a lot of coverage of the women's game, so I looked up to Lionel Messi," she said.
Home comforts. Liverpool's Welsh contingent is now a trio as Woodham joins international teammates Ceri Holland and Gemma Evans in the squad. "To see them in the changing room every day will be a bit different," Woodham said during her first interview. "We normally only see each other every month. It will be really nice to be around them every day and kind of carry on the connection we already have with Wales."
A coffee connoisseur. Woodham can join the group of hot-drink aficionados in the LFC Women team. "I'm happy to drive for hours to find a quaint coffee shop for a brew," she once admitted.