Derby County Women can confirm the signing of defender Sacha Lewis from Manchester City.
The 16-year-old has joined Sam Griffiths’ squad on a dual-registration deal that runs until the end of the 2024/25 season and will see the right-back continue her development with City’s Academy whilst also gaining league experience with the Ewes in the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division.
Lewis was named in the preliminary squad ahead of England Under-17s’ recent World Cup campaign and has been in and around the Young Lionesses set-up. She also has previous league experience with a short spell in the fourth tier with FC United of Manchester last season.
The defender is Derby's second player to join on a dual-registration deal from City this season; attacker Evie McCaffrey joined the Ewes in October.
Head Coach Sam Griffiths has already selected the young defender in her squad, as Lewis made her first outing in a substitute appearance for the Ewes in their recent league clash on the road against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
“We've got a good relationship with Manchester City,” Griffiths said of the move. “We also have Evie on a dual registration deal from there. Sacha had been on the radar for a while, but she had an injury. It's probably a move that's just taken a little bit longer to happen.
“Sacha is a young, exciting player. She will bring a bit of energy to the team. In the position she plays, she is really quick and powerful. Technically she is excellent on the ball. She’s another young player that I think can add a lot to the team.
“She’s just not had that much exposure to
senior football yet, and that’s what we're trying to do. Both Sacha and
Evie play at a good level with Manchester City and are involved in the
England Youth set-up. So, I think Sacha will keep the competition in our
squad high and bring new standards into our environment too.”
