Aston Villa confirm Katie Robinson signing | OneFootball

Aston Villa have confirmed the signing of Katie Robinson on a free transfer from WSL rivals Brighton & Hove Albion.

The 21-year-old forward left the Seagulls when her contract ended last month and and now joins Villa as a free agent. Robinson had been with Brighton since 2020 and had a brief loan spell at Charlton Athletic two years later after an ACL injury initially hindered the youngster’s progress.

Upon her return to Brighton, Robinson hit the ground running in the 2022/23 campaign and received her first senior England call-up in November 2022. At international level, she now has five senior caps to her name and she was the youngest member of England's World Cup squad in 2023.

During her time with Brighton, Robinson made 68 appearances across all competitions and scored ten goals in that time. She was named their 2022/23 young player of the season. But, amid competition for attacking places, there has been no senior England call-up since last September.

Robinson has five caps for the Lionesses / Nathan Stirk/GettyImages

Villa’s new manager Robert de Pauw told the club website: "I've known Katie since I was head coach of the [Netherlands] U17. She played as a winger against my team and caused a lot of difficulties.

"She has pace and knows how to make use of her qualities. She wants to add to her five international caps and wants to make the next step with us.

"Her ambition, to become better, matches ours. I believe she is a player who can be a difference-maker in games, and I very much look forward to what she will bring to Aston Villa Women."

Robinson arrives at Villa following Alisha Lehmann's departure to Juventus. The 25-year-old Swiss forward left the club earlier this summer after three years in claret and blue.