REPUBLIC OF IRELAND international Izzy Atkinson has signed for West Ham United.
The promising 20-year-old links up with former Shelbourne team-mate and friend Jess Ziu at the Women’s Super League club, after a spell at Celtic.
Atkinson spent 15 months at the Hoops, scoring the extra-time winner in May’s Scottish Women’s Cup final. The Rush native originally crossed the water from Shels, whom she joined in July 2017 and there, combined successfully with Ziu on the wings.
A regular call-up to Vera Pauw’s Ireland squads, Atkinson won the first of her four senior caps in a January 2018 win over Portugal.
“It’s a dream come true to finally sign for a club that is as established in the Barclays Women’s Super League as West Ham are,” she told whufc.com after signing.
“The WSL is the best league in the world and it’s a move that I’ve wanted to make since I was a child. I’m really lucky to be able to make the move here, and at such a young age too.
🇮🇪 We are delighted to announce the signing of promising Republic of Ireland international, Izzy Atkinson!
— West Ham United Women (@westhamwomen) July 15, 2022
👋 Welcome, @izzyatkinson_
➡️ https://t.co/9AZeN2C6ql pic.twitter.com/f1fiVbgOL7
“The facilities here are superb and I’ve really enjoyed the first week out on the grass – getting to know my team-mates and the staff. I’m looking forward to the season ahead and continuing my development as a player.”
Hammers Manager Paul Konchesky added: “Izzy is somebody that has a lot of talent and is really eager to learn.
“She’s stepping into a new environment and a new league but she’s already shown some good stuff out on the training pitch in the past week.
“We’re really pleased that Izzy has made the move here and I’m looking forward to watching her development with us this season.”
Earlier this week, Jamie Finn committed to another season with Birmingham City.
.@jamiefinn_ is here to stay! 🙌
— Birmingham City Women (@BCFCWomen) July 11, 2022
Fine player and was guaranteed choice for team of the year. Here’s hoping to more like him coming through
@Shaun Gallagher: sure Porter is not far off him as it is. He would certainly have been fighting it out for a starting berth on the Lions team if it wasn’t for his injury
Over the years tight head props were at least perceived as being slower and less skilful than loose heads. A few years ago before he hit the interprovincial and international stage I asked him if he ever considered switching to loose. He looked at me like I had 2 heads. But after I explained that with his speed and skills he might get more freedom and be on the ball more often at loose he didn’t knock me off my barstool. He said that he would be sticking with tight but would show that modern No 3s
could have all the skills and still anchor the scrum. How right he was. He has set the standard for tight heads worldwide. Brilliant rugby player.
@JG: this is a bit like the Michael Owen BBC sports personality of the year tweet!
Wonderful player great watching him play long may he last
I wonder is he better than Peter Clohessy was?
Just curious but he is one hell of a player
@O’Brien Michael: Claw was a legend but he was a penalty machine. Also, Furlong has broken the mold with his handling and footwork. That simply didn’t exist for props 15 years back.
@Steve O’Farrell: thats a fair comment old chap
A super player, why wouldn’t he amd his mother a Cork woman, but he tries (pun) to keep that quiet.
Great article, and a super player .let’s hope he stays injury free for the next World Cup . Well need all his skills to table for that .
Not only is he the best tighthead in the world at the moment, he is arguably the greatest tighthead prop there has ever been.
G’wan Tadhg ur a ⭐️