Charlton Athletic are proud to announce that academy graduate Mary Bashford has signed her first professional contract with the club.
Bashford, who progressed through the club's Regional Talent Club after joining as a 15-year-old, has penned a two-year deal with the Addicks.
The promising midfielder made her full Charlton debut at the age of 17 in an FA Cup tie against Gillingham, helping the Addicks to a 1-0 victory back in December 2021.
Bashford made her first league start for the club in March 2023 in a 1-0 win against Southampton at The Valley.
The 18-year-old scored an all-important equaliser in the U21s' Isthmian Women’s Cup Final, netting a sensational 35-yard free-kick to send the tie to penalties.
Bashford expressed her joy upon signing a new deal with the club. She said: "I'm delighted to be signing my first professional contract with Charlton. I've loved every moment of my development through the younger age groups and it's a dream to be playing alongside the players I idolised growing up.
"It's a special club with a wonderful group of players and staff. I can't wait to be back and see the fans again!
Head Coach Karen Hills added: “Mary has been with the club for three years and she caught my eye when I arrived at Sparrows Lane in the opening season of us going full-time. She is a young, driven individual who had a desire to one day be a full time professional footballer.
"Over the past two seasons, she has developed and progresses with us and been exposed to first team training weekly. She was an integral part of the squad towards the back end of last season."
"She made her debut at The Valley against Southampton last season and has continued to impress which has lead to her making the step up to the first-team football. It gives me huge pride to offer Mary her first professional full-time contract this season and I’m super excited to see her develop over the next few years with us at Charlton."
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