Watford Signs Prolific Former Celtic Striker Saoirse Noonan

Watford have moved decisively in the market, securing the signing of former Celtic forward Saoirse Noonan on a free transfer, adding serious firepower to their attack ahead of the new season.

The club confirmed the deal on their official website, announcing the arrival of a player who has spent the last two years terrorising defences in Scotland.

Noonan, 27, leaves Celtic after her contract with the Glasgow club expired earlier this summer. Her numbers there were ruthless. Fifty-seven goals in 74 appearances. Top scorer in back-to-back seasons. Five hat-tricks in just two campaigns. She did not just lead the line; she led the scoring charts.

Her time with Celtic brought silverware too. Noonan lifted the Scottish Gas Women’s Scottish Cup last season and gained valuable experience on the European stage in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, adding another layer to an already seasoned profile.

This move to Watford is no leap into the unknown for her. The Irish forward began her career at Cork City in the SSE Airtricity League Women’s Premier Division before moving to Shelbourne, where she enjoyed two separate spells and built her reputation as a clinical finisher. She also knows English football well from a two-year stint with Durham in the Barclays WSL2, experience that should ease her transition back into the domestic game.

On the international stage, Noonan has 14 caps for the Republic of Ireland and has scored twice for her country, underlining her status as a forward trusted at the highest level.

She becomes Watford’s fourth signing of the summer window, a statement addition to a squad that is quietly being upgraded. Quality has been the theme of their recruitment so far. With Noonan now in the building, the expectation around what this Watford side can produce in the final third will only grow.