Southampton FC Women have strengthened their squad for the coming campaign with the permanent signing of Libbi McInnes, the 21-year-old attacking midfielder who has left WSL2 rivals Sunderland.
What the signing brings to the Saints
McInnes arrives on the south coast after making 74 senior appearances for her childhood club, where she progressed through the youth system and made her first-team debut aged 15 in 2020. Her profile is that of an attack-minded creative midfielder who can both drive forward with the ball and contribute defensively off it.
“I loved every minute of my time at Sunderland, but it’s time for a new change, a new challenge, and I’m excited to get going. I like to make things happen going forwards but I also like the side off the ball, getting stuck in. I’m really looking forward to the season and hopefully starting in a good way.”
The club confirmed the signing through its media channels today. The move follows other summer recruitment, including the earlier capture of goalkeeper Alina Santos, signalling Saints’ intent to add competition and depth across the squad.
Context and local impact
For supporters in and around Southampton, McInnes’s arrival is immediate with the new WSL2 fixture list due to be published tomorrow and the campaign set to kick off on 4 September. New signings affect matchday selection, tactical options for the manager, and local interest in season ticket sales and attendance.
- Player: Libbi McInnes — attacking midfielder
- Age: 21
- Previous club: Sunderland — 74 senior appearances
- Season starts: 4 September (fixtures released tomorrow)
Her honours at Sunderland in 2024/25 underline her recognition at her former club: she won the Young Player of the Year, Supporters’ Young Player of the Year and Goal of the Season awards in that campaign, pointing to both consistency and a capacity to produce moments of quality.
| Detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| Senior appearances for Sunderland | 74 |
| Debut age | 15 |
| Notable 2024/25 awards | Young Player of the Year; Supporters’ Young Player; Goal of the Season |
What to expect next
Supporters will want to watch the club’s official channels for confirmation of McInnes’s squad number, integration into pre-season training and her availability for the opening matches once the fixture list is published. The signing adds to a summer of recruitment that could influence the Saints’ ambitions in WSL2 — more immediate is how the manager will deploy McInnes alongside existing midfield options.
As the season approaches, fans should also note practical points: season ticket information, pre-season friendlies and announcements tied to the fixture release are likely to appear on the club website and social media. With the new campaign less than two months away, the squad additions will be scrutinised in the build-up.
I'll be following how McInnes settles in and how the Saints utilise her strengths when the fixtures are published tomorrow and throughout pre-season.
