Pompey forward Shannon Albuery has signed for Super League side Yeovil Town.
Albuery admits that she is leaving the Blues with a heavy heart – but a move to the top tier of women’s football was too good to turn down.
She progressed through the youth ranks at Pompey, before spending a year with local side Chichester.
Albuery then joined West Ham, where she would shine during both of their fixtures against the Blues.
A return to Pompey followed at the start of the 2017/18 campaign and the attacker scored 13 times in 32 matches for the club.
She would earn five ‘Player of the Match’ awards during her time on the south coast and was part of the side that lifted the Hampshire Cup – netting a hat-trick in the demolition of Southampton in the final.
Another highlight of her time with the Blues was scoring on her debut against Cardiff at Westleigh Park on the opening day of last season.
Albuery also produced a stunning ‘rabona’ goal against C&K Basildon at the start of the current campaign.
"“To represent a professional club – in the top-flight – is an incredible opportunity, one she has earned and simply can’t turn down."
Blues boss Jay Sadler said: “Beneath the disappointment, of losing Shannon, there is a sense of pride at having played a small part in her development.
“She’s a genuine, well-grounded individual whose work ethic and love of the game is on an unprecedented scale.
“To represent a professional club – in the top-flight – is an incredible opportunity, one she has earned and simply can’t turn down.
“Everyone represented with the club would like to wish her all the very best with her move.”
Albuery grew close with several players during her time at Pompey and team-mate Ellie Kirby said: “Shannon will be missed massive amounts by myself and the whole squad. She is an incredible individual with an abundance of talent.
“She has got a massive future ahead of her and we all wish her the best for her upcoming journey. She will always be a blue.”
Everyone at Portsmouth FC Women would like to thank Shannon for her service and wish her the best of luck for her new journey with Yeovil in the Super League.