Saints Women secure forward Dean
Southampton FC Women have bolstered their forward line with Rianna Dean, who joins Saints from Crystal Palace subject to FA approval.
Starting her career in Arsenal’s academy, she made her senior debut for the Gunners at just 16 years of age, going on to score 37 goals in 20 games for their Development Squad in the 2016/17 season.
Seeking first team football, she made a move to fellow London club Millwall, where she scored 10 goals across all competitions during the 2017/18 season.
Another London switch saw the forward join Tottenham Hotspur, where she finished as the second highest league goalscorer as Spurs confirmed their promotion to the Barclays Women’s Super League.
Joining Liverpool in 2021 as they also confirmed their return to the WSL, she was then snapped up by Crystal Palace in the Barclays Women’s Championship, playing against Saints in the fixture at St Mary’s.
On her move to Saints, Dean commented:
“I’m really excited to be here!
“From those first conversations with Marieanne, the ambition of the club and the integration of the Women’s team in the club as a whole - I knew it was somewhere I wanted to be.
“Marieanne played at those top levels and there’s so much I can learn from her.
“I can’t wait to get started!”
Bringing in her newest signing, Head Coach Marieanne Spacey-Cale remarked:
“Rianna’s somebody I’ve tracked for a while now.
“I’ve seen her grow from the England Youth squads into Women’s Super League first teams, so I’m excited to get her in amongst us.
“She’s a good person, a real talent and I’m excited to see how she can add value to us as a squad.”
