by Joshua Bunting

Reading have announced the signing of Deanna Cooper after her contract at Women's Super League champions Chelsea expired last month.

Cooper, who is from Chatham and once played for Gillingham Ladies, becomes the Royals third signing this week after Danielle Carter and Emma Mitchell.

The centre-back joined Chelsea from the London Bees in 2017 ahead of Chelsea's triumphant Spring Series – in which she played a key part in the heart of the defence.

An anterior cruciate ligament injury sidelined her for much of the 2017-18 campaign but Cooper came off the bench at the end of Chelsea's double-winning season to celebrate with her team-mates in a home win over Sunderland

Cooper made 29 appearances for Chelsea, scoring three times for the Blues in total.

Reading boss Kelly Chambers said, "Deanna is a player I've have always liked watching and now want to see more of. I have been interested in bringing her to Reading for some time and I am just delighted to get a deal done to bring her to the club.

"She is a gifted player who wears her heart on her sleeve and does everything for her team. I believe she will fit into my squad perfectly and definitely suits our style of play. I'm excited to see her in a Reading shirt."

Reading finished fifth in the Women's Super League last term as it was ended with immediate effect due to the coronavirus pandemic In May.

WSL sides are set to start their new campaign on the weekend of September 5-6, having been out of action since before March's lockdown in the United Kingdom.

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