Sheffield United Women New Signing Gracie Pearse ‘Fits the Bill’

Sheffield United Women have signed double promotion-winning defender Gracie Pearse on a two-year deal.

She departed Charlton Athletic in the summer after helping the Addicks to promotion via a play-off victory against Leicester City,.

A product of the Arsenal academy, Pearse joined Crystal Palace in 2021 for a first taste of senior football before Tottenham Hotspur saw her promise and signed her up only a few months later, loaning her back to the Eagles where she gained valuable experience in the second tier.

Loans to Bristol City, where she won the league in 2023, and then subsequently to Charlton followed before she joined the latter permanently in 2024, becoming a regular in the team over the past two years.

Pearse has represented England at under-17, under-19, and under-21 levels.

A former England youth team international, Pearse is looking forward to a new challenge with United, as well as bringing her top-level experience to Bramall Lane.

“I’m really excited just to get started now really and get to meet all the girls,” said the defender. “I’ve already got four or five of the girls who I know and have met before so it’s nice to have those familiar faces and to have to speak to on the first day when it can be quite daunting.

“For me, the priority is coming into an environment where I feel valued and happy, that’s the most important thing. I can bring some experience from being promoted twice and knowing this league for quite a few years now.”

Head coach Stephen Healy is also delighted to add a key signing in a key role. “We knew how crucial it was to fill an important role in the team with someone who already has both vast experience in this league but also so much ahead of her, and Gracie fits the bill for what we were looking for perfectly.

“At just 23 she’s already earned two promotions from this league, most recently with Charlton last season, and brings a great pedigree when you look at both the clubs she has played for and her experience with the England youth teams.”