Sophie Baggaley’s former Bristol City teammate believes the goalkeeper will prove to be an “excellent” signing for Brighton.
The 26-year-old completed her move from Manchester United to Albion in mid-September and now Frankie Brown, who played alongside Baggaley at Bristol between 2017-20, feels she can be a real asset to Melissa Phillips’s side.
Although she was second choice behind England goalkeeper Mary Earps at the Red Devils, where she made ten appearances between 2021-23, former Scotland international Brown feels that will have been a valuable learning experience for Sophie.
“I played with 'Baggs' for a good few years. I think it’s an excellent signing for Brighton. She’s a very, very good shot stopper and despite her young age she has quite a lot of WSL experience as she played a lot at Bristol before going to Man United,” she said.
“I am sure she will have developed a great deal working alongside Mary [Earps]. I think it is exciting for her, I am delighted for her; hopefully, she will get more game time.”
Baggaley began her professional career in 2014 with Birmingham City but she really made a name for herself at Bristol. After a loan spell in 2017/18, the stopper spent another three seasons in the South West and became a vital part of their success.
Her standout year came in 2019 when she won the FA Women’s Football Awards Players’ Player of the Year and she was named in the PFA Team of the Year too.
She helped the Robins to a sixth-place finish in the WSL, had a save percentage of 72.9, saved two of the four penalties she faced, and the number of goals she was expected to concede was upwards of 37 but she let in 34 thanks to her goalkeeping ability.
“She was very important at Bristol, particularly in 2018/19 when we finished mid-table. That was the season she had a standout year. She was excellent, Sophie is good with her feet and had a real presence in the box,” said Brown.
“We pulled off some shock results that season and she made a ridiculous amount of saves in some of those games and rose to the challenge.
“She is definitely a leader. She is a very good communicator on the pitch. I played in front of her, either as a centre-back or in midfield and I really enjoyed playing alongside her.”
Baggaley, who has represented England at every age group from under-17 to under-23, earned her a move to United after 90 appearances with the Robins - who were relegated from the WSL in 2021.
In terms of being a model professional, Brown believes her old teammate, who will compete with Chelsea loanee Nicky Evrard for the number one spot, is a great example to follow.
“Off the pitch she is such a hard worker and leads by example. She’s got an unbelievable engine for a goalkeeper. Physically she works very hard and puts the graft in in the gym.
“She is very strong, powerful, and explosive. I think she will be a huge asset to Brighton and off the pitch. She’s a smart girl and contributes well in team meetings. She is an all-round good egg.
“She didn’t get many opportunities at Man United so I am looking forward to seeing how her game has developed since I played with her. She was a young keeper when I was her teammate and had bags of potential but with a young keeper, there can be some indecision in certain situations.
“I think that will have developed over the years. I am looking forward to seeing that. She’s got a good strike on the ball and is comfortable with the ball at her feet. I imagine Brighton will use that to their advantage this year.”