Abbie fifth Tractor Girl to sign professional terms
Abbie Lafayette has signed her first professional contract at Ipswich Town.
The 19-year-old midfielder becomes the fifth Tractor Girls to sign professional terms this summer after agreeing a one-year deal with an option of a further year.
The Watford-born midfielder soon established herself in Joe Sheehan's side during pre-season before earning a start on the opening day of the 2019/20 season, where she once again found the back of the net as the Blues' drew 1-1 with AFC Wimbledon. Abbie would go on to be a mainstay in the Town side, featuring in almost every game including the Tractor Girls' historic run in the Women's FA Cup. She also became somewhat of a cult hero amongst Town supporters, with her consistent performances and signature afro endearing her to the Blues' faithful.
Her form earned her a first youth international call up for England and she soon became a regular part of the Young Lionesses setup alongside a number of her Ipswich Town teammates. Abbie picked up where she left off during the largely disrupted 2020/21 season as an ever present in the Blues' midfield before the season was once again curtailed. So far, Abbie has made 26 appearances for the Tractor Girls, scoring 5 goals.
"It's been a long time coming for most of us. It's something that my family will be very proud of as well and something I've wanted to do since I was a little girl," Abbie told iFollow Ipswich.
"I think it really puts me in a position where I have a structure now of how I want to play, where I want to play and it gives me a foundation of where I'm at with my football."
Watch Abbie's full interview on iFollow Ipswich shortly.