Alex Brooks

Brooks has a wealth of experience of WSL and WSL2 which she brought to Dan McNamara’s squad having represented some of the biggest names in women’s football.

The goalkeeper began her career in the academy of Man City, progressing through the club’s youth ranks and into the first-team where she made her debut in the WSL Cup against Durham in July 2014.

Then 19, Brooks came off the bench to take the place of legendary England keeper Karen Bardsley between the sticks for City. She would go on to make seven appearances – including four in the WSL – over the next 18 months, before gaining further experience with a loan move to Everton.

After time spent in the third tier with AFC Fylde and a stint with Blackburn, Brooks moved permanently from City to Sheffield United in 2018 before heading back up to the WSL the following year with a switch to Birmingham.

Following two seasons with a title-chasing Blues side – where she shared goalkeeping duties with England’s Euro 2025 winner Hannah Hampton – Brooks returned to Blackburn where she produced several key performances in net.

After being named Players’ Player of the Year in summer 2024, 12 months later Brooks was in the Black Country, being handed the number one shirt for the Old Gold.