The 32-year-old arrives at Compton Park following her departure from Women’s Super League side Everton at the end of last season. Lawley brings a wealth of experience to Wolves, having won the Women’s FA Cup and the Championship title, while making more than 300 senior appearances during an illustrious career.
A childhood Wolves fan hailing from Kidderminster, Lawley began her career in Arsenal’s academy and made her senior debut in the UEFA Women’s Champions League before making her first Women’s Super League appearance for Bristol Academy in 2012.
She established herself as a top-flight player during a three-year spell with Birmingham City, making 78 appearances and scoring ten goals for the Blues.
Her performances earned her a move to Manchester City, where she also received her first England call-up. On her full Lionesses debut in 2019, Lawley scored the opening goal in a victory over Kazakhstan and went on to make 12 appearances for her country.
Lawley joined Liverpool later that year and spent five seasons on the red half of Merseyside, making more than 100 appearances and helping the Reds win the 2021/22 Championship title to secure promotion back to the WSL after a two-year absence.
During her subsequent two-year spell across the city with Everton, Lawley spent the first half of last season on loan at Burnley in the third tier, scoring four goals in eight appearances.
Speaking about the signature of Lawley, manager Dan McNamara said: “We had some very early conversations with Mel and she was very keen to understand the project. At this point I didn’t know she was a Wolves girl, but we’ve seen over the years how powerful the connection between being a fan and playing for us can be and that made the opportunity to bring her in a no-brainer.
“She has played at the top level of the game, has been back in the WSL since last Christmas and we know the qualities and what she brings to the group.
“She really is a statement signing for us and again, someone I think will become a fan favourite and really add to what we are trying to do here at Wolves – bringing in good players who want to be here.
“Myself and Russ [Fraser – Head of Women and Girls] have spoken at length over the summer of bringing in players of this ilk with WSL and WSL 2 experience and to bring her in is a massive coup for us. On the pitch, we are really looking forward to seeing her in that top line and bring us plenty of goals.”
Image Credit - Wolves Women
