Newcastle United Women have confirmed the signing of England international Demi Stokes.
Stokes, 32, was a free agent having left Manchester City following the expiry of her contract at the end of June.
The defender, who has been capped 69 times, was part of the England team that won the European Championship in 2022. She was also a member of the Team GB squad for the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021.
Stokes, who was raised in South Shields, previously played for Sunderland and Vancouver Whitecaps before joining City in 2015.
“I am thrilled to be joining Newcastle United and returning home to the North East,” Stokes said. “I still have so much to give on the pitch and I’m excited to bring my experience to a club with such big ambitions.
“From the moment I spoke to the club, I felt valued and knew this was the right place for me to contribute to an exciting, new project.
“I can’t wait to get going and meet the team.”
GO DEEPER
Dreams, struggles and Taylor Swift – behind the scenes with Newcastle United Women
Stokes’ arrival continues Newcastle’s recruitment following their promotion to the Championship.
On Tuesday, they confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Claudia Moan from fellow Championship club Sunderland. The 25-year-old is the reigning Championship player of the season.
Newcastle have also signed Deanna Cooper from Reading, Durham’s Amy Andrews and Bristol City’s Shania Hayles this summer.
Newcastle won the National League North last season, finishing nine points clear of second-placed Burnley under manager Becky Langley to win promotion to the second tier for the first time in their history.
(Jess Hornby/Getty Images)
