NewsLucy Parry signs first professional contract with LFC Women

The 18-year-old defender is a product of the club’s youth system having made her way through the full academy programme after joining at U9 level.

In 2020 the England youth international became the youngest player in the history of LFC Women when she made her debut at the age of just 16 years and 150 days.

Parry joins the professional ranks after a busy summer competing with England U19s in the UEFA European Championship in the Czech Republic.

LFC Women manager Matt Beard said: “Paz deserves this contract, she was fantastic for us last year. Internationally as well she’s done well for England and she’s got an exciting future ahead of her.

“It’s important for us as a club to produce our own players and we’re delighted that she’s signed a long-term contract here.

“She’s come on leaps and bounds over the last year, it’s another step up but we’re looking forward to seeing her progress.”

Parry’s performances last year were combined with sitting her A Levels, making her progress all the more laudable.

“I’m delighted, it’s really exciting and I can’t wait to get started this season really,” she said.

“Becoming a professional is definitely something I’ve been working towards, coming up through the academy it’s a goal I’ve had but to get it done and signed feels amazing.

“I’ve been a fan all my life, my family are Liverpool fans so when I put the shirt on it means everything to me.

“Last season meant a lot, we had that goal to get promotion and when we did it and did it well, we stuck together as a team all the way through.”

Parry paid tribute to her family support and that of the rest of the squad as she spoke of becoming a full-time professional.

She added: “My family have helped me, driving me around and supporting me the whole way. When I step on the pitch I know I’m making them happy and that means a lot.

“There are real characters in this squad, it’s a really good squad in depth. I think the players like Niamh [Fahey], Furney [Rachel Furness] and Lawsy [Rachael Laws] I’ve been learning off, just ways to communicate, supporting me.

“They’ve helped me grow as a person as well as a player on the pitch. Matt just wants me to express myself on the pitch and I feel like I’ve developed loads. He’s supported me a lot.”

Parry and the rest of the LFC Women squad will take to the field for their first game of pre-season on Sunday when they take on Nottingham Forest at The Campus training ground, in a behind-closed-doors fixture.