Swansea City legend transfers to league rival as Wrexham sign Wales international
Lucy Farrell-Shrouder is now a Wrexham player. (Image: Dan Purdie/Wrexham AFC)
A player who recently left Swansea City has completed a move to an Adran Premier rival, while Wrexham have strengthened their squad with the signing of a recent Wales international.
The summer transfer window officially opens for Adran Premier clubs on June 30, when teams can begin registering new players. However, several clubs have already confirmed their business ahead of the new season.
Wrexham have already signed Mikayla Cook from Cardiff City as they prepare for their UEFA Women’s Champions League debut. The Red Dragons will host the qualifying rounds at the STōK Cae Ras, and there’s a new face joining the ranks.
Elsewhere, The New Saints have bolstered their squad with the arrival of Lucy Farrell-Shrouder, while club legend Katy Hosford has joined Briton Ferry Llansawel following her departure from Swansea City.
Wrexham sign Wales international from Stoke City
Jenny Sugarman has added another goalkeeper to strengthen competition for Liz Craven, who was first-choice last season.
Chloe Ankers had been the back-up option but has since departed to join Kelsall, where she has taken up a role within their coaching team.
Goalkeeper Farrell-Shrouder was named in Rhian Wilkinson’s squad for Wales’ FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers in August, earning a senior call-up in the absence of Liv Clark.
Most recently, the 22-year-old was on the books at Stoke City after joining on loan from Burnley. She travelled with the squad to Albania, gaining valuable experience training alongside some of the country’s leading players.
Upon signing for Wrexham, Farrell said: “I’m really excited to be joining such a big Club. I had some really good conversations with Jenny, and it felt like no was not an answer here on the women’s side, which is really refreshing. I know a lot of the girls here already, and they’ve all said good things.
“It was an amazing experience to be part of the Wales senior squad and something that I’m very proud of. It would be amazing to receive another call-up, and I think it would be a great thing for Wrexham too.
“I’m a ball-playing goalkeeper, and in possession, I am very calm. I do hope that I can be a calming presence at the back. I want to help the Club go as far as they can, win more trophies, and hopefully celebrate a successful season.”
Farrell-Shrouder also has international experience at Under-19 level, having represented Wales in 2022. She will link up with familiar faces at Wrexham, including Faye Knox, with whom she previously shared an international camp, and Maria Francis-Jones, who joined the club from The New Saints during the winter transfer window for an undisclosed fee.
Head coach Jenny Sugarman added, “Lucy is a top goalkeeper with excellent experience both at club and international level at such a young age, and I have tracked her progress for a while now.
“Having represented both Burnley and Stoke City in tier three in England, and her recent call-up to the Welsh national team, she is both a player for now and the future.
“Lucy is an excellent shot stopper and very comfortable playing out with the ball at her feet. She is an exciting addition to our goalkeeping department, and I’m looking forward to seeing how Lucy continues to develop with us.”
Long-serving Swansea City forward joins Briton Ferry
Adran Premier side Briton Ferry Llansawel have completed the signing of Welsh football legend Katy Hosford, with the experienced forward becoming the first addition of Mark Murison’s reign.
Hosford arrives after bringing an end to her remarkable 16-year association with Swansea City, where she established herself as one of the club’s most decorated players. During her time with the Swans, she won four Welsh top-flight titles, two Welsh Cups and the Adran Trophy.
The 2025/26 campaign saw Hosford step away from football during her pregnancy and following the birth of her baby. She now returns to the Adran Premier with Briton Ferry as she begins the next chapter of her career.
Speaking to the Swansea City website back in May, Hosford said:
“This has been a difficult decision for me to make, and it is one I make with a heavy heart,
“But I feel it is the right time for me to leave and to focus on spending time with my family.
“I have been so incredibly proud to play for Swansea City, and to see the amazing strides the team and women’s football as a whole has made over the 13 years since my debut. We have come such a long way and I hope we are creating a legacy that can ensure that growth continues in the years to come.
“I want to say a huge thank you to all my teammates and the staff I have worked with, and I wish Swansea City nothing but success in the future and I can promise you I will be following from afar.”
Swansea Women head coach Yzzy Taylor described Hosford as one of the “most influential figures” in the club’s history.
“Katy’s name will always be mentioned when we talk about the most influential figures to have played for Swansea City.
“Her longevity and success underline what an important and inspirational person she has been for young footballers in south-west Wales and beyond.
“We are sad to see her leave, but she leaves a considerable legacy, and we wish Katy every success in what is next for her.”
