Bristol City have completed the signing of Ireland under-19s captain Lia O’Leary on a two and a half year contract with the option of a further year. 

The former Shamrock Rovers midfielder spoke to Bristol City’s in house media team of her excitement upon joining the club “I’m really excited, I’ve been in training with the girls a few times and I’m just looking forward to getting going properly.”

O’Leary arrives in Bristol after two seasons at Shamrock Rovers where in 2023 she was voted Players’ Young Player of the Year and named the League’s Young Player of the Year for 2023. The Dubliner impressed at the UEFA Women’s Under-19 Championship last Summer scoring Ireland’s only goal of the competition against Germany.

The 18 year-old had been on trial at Crystal Palace and Everton before eventually deciding to join Bristol City who currently sit second in the WSL Championship table.

O’Leary could make her first appearance for the Robins when they face Arsenal at Meadow Park on Sunday in the fourth round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup.