Brighton & Hove Albion Women's captain, Maisie Symonds, has committed her future to the club by signing a new 'long-term' contract. The 23-year-old midfielder, who joined Brighton from Chelsea in 2021, is now the longest-serving player in the Albion squad, having amassed 103 appearances across all competitions.
Symonds' leadership was particularly evident during the most recent season, where she captained the side to their inaugural Women's FA Cup final at Wembley in May 2026, facing Manchester City. Her consistent performances and influence both on and off the pitch have been pivotal to the team's progress.
Head coach Dario Vidosic expressed his delight at the news, stating that Symonds is a "massive influence" and has developed significantly as both a player and a person since taking on the captaincy last season. Vidosic highlighted the club's ambition to establish Brighton as one of the top four clubs in the Women's Super League (WSL), with Symonds playing a crucial role in this vision.
Reflecting on her new deal, Symonds shared her satisfaction, remarking, "I'm very happy. I feel so at home here. It's the only club I've ever played for professionally and I feel I've grown so much over the last six years along with the club and the women's team." She added that the team has been setting high standards and is beginning to reach its potential, with a collective desire to continue improving.
The announcement of Symonds' new contract comes as Brighton continues to build for the future. Earlier this year, the club unveiled plans for what is set to be Europe's first purpose-built women's football stadium, estimated to cost between £75 million and £80 million. This significant investment underscores Brighton's commitment to elevating its women's team and fostering long-term success in the sport.