Watford Sign Prolific Forward Saoirse Noonan on Free Transfer

Watford have moved to sharpen their attacking edge with the capture of prolific former Celtic forward Saoirse Noonan on a free transfer.

The 27-year-old arrives after her contract with the Glasgow club expired earlier this summer, becoming Watford’s fourth signing of the window and a clear statement about their intent for the new campaign.

A proven finisher

Noonan’s record at Celtic speaks loudly enough. Across two seasons in green and white, she scored 57 goals in 74 appearances, finishing as the club’s top scorer in back-to-back campaigns. Defences in Scotland knew the pattern: give her space, and she punished you.

Five hat-tricks in the last two seasons underline just how ruthless she can be when the momentum swings her way. She helped Celtic lift the Scottish Gas Women’s Scottish Cup last season and gained valuable experience on the European stage in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Those numbers are not the return of a player merely padding stats in comfortable games. They belong to a forward who consistently carried the scoring burden for one of Scotland’s leading sides.

A journey built on goals

Before lighting up the Scottish game, Noonan built her reputation in Ireland. She came through at Cork City in the SSE Airtricity League Women’s Premier Division, then moved to Shelbourne, where she enjoyed two spells and established herself as one of the league’s standout attackers.

Her move to England is not a leap into the unknown. Noonan previously spent two years in the Barclays WSL2 with Durham, gaining a first taste of the English game and its physical, fast-paced demands. That experience now feeds into a far more complete forward returning to the league with a heavier goal record and a fuller CV.

On the international stage, she has already broken through the door. Noonan has 14 caps for the Republic of Ireland and two goals, adding a layer of big-game exposure that only strengthens Watford’s hand.

Watford’s intent is clear

For the Golden Girls, this is not just another summer addition. This is a proven scorer at club and international level, arriving at a stage in her career where a forward’s instincts and experience tend to align.

Watford have already added quality in this window; Noonan’s arrival deepens that theme. The question now is simple: with a finisher of her calibre in the squad, how high can they aim this season?