Ellie Sara makes Plymouth Argyle Women history by signing contract

Teenage striker Ellie Sara has described it an honour after becoming the first ever Plymouth Argyle Women player to sign a contract with the club.

The announcement came yesterday afternoon (Monday) as Argyle Women officially became part of PAFC after previously being run by the Argyle Community Trust. Sara attracted some interest from other clubs after scoring 29 goals in all competitions for Argyle Women last season but was excited to sign up for the team at such a historic and exciting time for it.

Sara told Argyle's official club website: "It's an honour. I've grown up through this club. I've loved it since the moment I started playing football. I've lived down here all my life, so to get the first contract is amazing.

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"I think it's a great thing. For everyone looking in on the team, it's a progression. I think we've all got to push on next season, to see if we can get top six. I think the girls have the ability to do that."

With Argyle Women now operated by PAFC, Ryan Perks has been appointed to a full-time role as head coach and he was thrilled with the signing of Sara.

Perks said: "It's massive. It shows the direction the club want to take the women's team in. I think it's thoroughly deserved for Ellie. She worked hard last season, scored lots of goals, and it's great to see players getting the recognition they deserve.

"Ellie signing the contract shows a signal of intent from the football club that we want to keep our best young players at this club. Ellie's attracted some interest in the summer, so to get her to stay at this club is a big step in the right direction.

"Ellie knows the football club, she knows the staff and she's come through the pathway. We're glad she's decided to continue her journey with us."

While Sara will be staying with Argyle Women, a number of players from last season are moving on, including talented England under-17 international Mia Endacott, who is joining Tottenham Hotspur's under-21s team.

Argyle Women have their first pre-season fixture on Sunday (July 7) against Moneyfields FC. Several players who joined in with the first day of pre-season training are expected to be part of the squad.