Brighton captain Symonds signs new 'long-term' deal

What the report says

BBC Sport reports that Brighton & Hove Albion captain Maisie Symonds has agreed a new contract with the Women’s Super League club, with Brighton describing the deal as “long-term.” The 23-year-old midfielder has been with Albion since joining from Chelsea in 2021 and is now the club’s longest-serving player, having made 103 appearances across all competitions.

Head coach Dario Vidosic praised Symonds’ impact at the club, saying she has become an important presence on the pitch and within the squad since taking over the captaincy last season. He linked her renewal to Brighton’s wider ambition, saying the club wants to become a top-four side in the WSL.

Symonds captained Brighton during a landmark 2024-25 campaign in which the team reached the Women’s FA Cup final at Wembley for the first time, facing Manchester City. She has also played for England at youth levels up to under-21 and, according to the BBC report, earned her first senior England call-up in March 2025.

The contract extension comes during a period of investment and rising expectations around Brighton’s women’s team. BBC Sport notes that the club announced plans earlier this year for a purpose-built women’s football stadium in Europe, estimated to cost between £75m and £80m. Symonds said Brighton is the only club she has represented professionally and described the team as increasingly ambitious after progress made in recent seasons.