SAINTS Women have announced the permanent signing of Maria Edwards, following her departure from Championship Blackburn Rovers.

The 22 year old versatile attacker joins the St Mary's side, after scoring eight goals in 24 appearances for Rovers last season.

Edwards rose through the ranks at Manchester City and Man United but gained her first taste of senior football on loan in the 2020/21 campaign.

After a year in the second tier, she moved to Germany for a spell with Bundesliga side SGS Essen before returning to England and Blackburn.

She he was managed by new Saints head coach Simon Parker, who joined the club last month, as Rovers rallied to survive relegation.

Ahead of her next chapter, Edwards said: “When I first had conversations with the club, I knew it was definitely the right place to be.

"With the ambition and vision the club has, the style of play that this club plays is really suited to me as well, so there were no second thoughts about joining.”