Wales international Rachel Rowe has made a strategic move to Nottingham Forest from Southampton, as the WSL2 newcomers continue to strengthen their squad. This transfer marks the ninth signing for Forest this summer, following their National League title win last season.

Rowe, a 32-year-old midfielder, brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the team. She expressed her excitement about joining Forest, stating, "I'm really excited to be joining Nottingham Forest. It's clearly an elite and ambitious club. The continued success is admirable and shows a huge commitment to invest in the growth of the women's game."

Forest Women head coach Carly Davies also shared her enthusiasm about the new addition, "Rachel joins us with a wealth of experience, leadership, and technical quality at both domestic and international level. Her qualities fit seamlessly with our vision for this team and the direction we are heading."

Rowe's career began at Swansea City's youth academy, and she later played for Cardiff City, where she was part of the team that won the Welsh Premier Women's Football League in 2013. She then moved to Reading in 2015, making over 100 appearances for the club before their relegation from the WSL in 2023-24. After a season with Rangers, Rowe returned to England to play in the Championship with Southampton.

Davies added, "Her versatility and know-how at the top level will be invaluable, both on and off the pitch. She enriches our squad with her winning mentality and strong work ethic. I'm confident she'll make an immediate and lasting impact for Forest Women as we continue to create history and build a legacy for women's football in Nottingham."

This transfer is a testament to Nottingham Forest's ambition and commitment to elevating women's football, and Rowe's experience and skills are expected to play a crucial role in the team's future successes.