AFC Women have significantly bolstered their squad with the arrival of three new players ahead of the resumption of their season on Sunday.

Jennifer Currie, Keeley Banfield and Lois Edwards all join the Dons until the end of the 2023/24 campaign.

Experienced goalkeeper Jennifer Currie arrives from Sion Swifts in Northern Ireland to strengthen options in this area. Jennifer has been capped by Scotland at youth international level and also featured in UEFA Women’s Champions League with former side Hibernian Women.

Midfielder Keeley Banfield graduated through the Bristol City Academy and was captain of Bridgwater United last season.

Lois Edwards began her career in the Chelsea Women’s Youth Academy and following a successful campaign with Crawley Wasps the defender joined Watford in August 2022.

Commenting on the new arrivals, AFC Women’s manager Clint Lancaster said:

“It’s no secret that we have been looking for a goalkeeper since losing Faye Kirby in September, so I’m delighted to get Jen on board. She is someone I’ve been interested in for a while now given her previous experience in this league, as well as abroad. She has had a lot of success and I’m sure will bring a wealth of experience to the team.

“Keeley is a fantastic defensive player who has excellent technical ability and despite her young age has captained her club down in England. She has a great work rate and is someone who will be a welcome addition to our midfield.

“Lois has experience playing for a variety of clubs in England. She’s a fantastic defender who can play within a back 3 or 4 but she’s also a strong character and someone I believe will fit in well with our group.”

AFC Women are back in action on Sunday as they travel to Edinburgh to take on Boroughmuir Thistle in the Scottish Women’s Cup and all three new signings will go straight into the squad for the match.

Jennifer Currie:

“I’m delighted to be here and really looking forward to getting started on the pitch with the team. I’ve played for a few teams in this league before, so I know the league well and I’ve got experience here. It’s nice to come into a different group of players and I’m excited to see how we get on. I knew of a couple of the players before coming in, but they are such a young team that many of them have come through from the youth system since I played here last. It’s been good to get into training early and see the team. It makes it easier when you get onto the pitch if you know the players in your team and their strengths and weaknesses. I’m looking forward to seeing how we do.”

Keeley Banfield:

“It feels really good to be an Aberdeen player and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season here. I think the manager had seen me playing with my previous club when he was in England, and he got in touch with me just before Christmas. I don’t know much about the Scottish league so it’s a new experience for me and I’m looking forward to getting started. I like to play in a holding position in midfield. I like to think I’m quite a clever player and I’m keen on my tackles so I think I can help the team defensively, but I also like getting forward as well.”

Lois Edwards:

“I’m really happy to be here. I only got here at the start of the week and I’m excited to hopefully play at the weekend. I think Clint had been talking to my manager at Watford and I had been out for a while with an ACL injury so I’m hopefully going to get as much game time here as I can. I spent quite a long time at Chelsea in the academy before going to America for a year and returning to Watford. I’m a defensive player who likes to get on the ball a lot and drive into midfield. One of my best friends signed for Hearts in the summer so I have been keeping an eye on the league since then. So I know a little bit about it but I’m looking forward to learning more in the months ahead.”

Everyone at AFC wishes Jennifer, Keeley and Lois all the very best during their time at the club.

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