Veteran defender McCatty re-joins Sunderland | OneFootball

Sunderland have re-signed veteran defender Grace McCatty on a deal which will run until the end of the season.

The Lady Black Cats announced the news via a post on their official club website this morning.

The 35-year-old previously enjoyed six years with Sunderland before opting for retirement at the end of last season. McCatty has had a change of heart and she has decided to continue her professional playing career for a few more months. The defender made 111 appearances for the Wearsiders in all competitions in her previous spell with the club.

McCatty’s return to Sunderland comes at a good time with the club having recently lost the services of captain Brianna Westrup for a lengthy period. The centre-back will provide another reliable option for manager Melanie Reay at the heart of the Sunderland defence.

After completing her Sunderland return, McCatty said “I’m really excited to be coming back to Sunderland to play again this year. This is my Club and I’ve always said I’ll do whatever I can to help the team progress, so I am looking forward to the opportunity to come back in and support the girls until the end of the season.”

McCatty could go straight into the Sunderland squad for Sunday’s Barclays Women’s Championship fixture against Bristol City at The Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground.