Sophie Baggaley has come home. The 29-year-old goalkeeper signed for Birmingham City on 24 July 2026, rejoining the club where she first kicked a ball at the age of six and made her senior debut in 2014 (BBC Sport).

The move brings her back to a Birmingham side freshly promoted to the Women's Super League, the top tier of women's football in England. She arrives as a free agent after leaving Brighton, signing a two-year deal with the option of a further season (BBC Sport). Birmingham City Women's manager Amy Merricks now has a keeper who knows the club inside out — and one with a point to prove.

Baggaley's time at Brighton began brightly. She joined in 2023, made 42 appearances, and was voted the club's player of the season in her first campaign. Then Brighton signed Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, and Baggaley found her opportunities limited. Brighton confirmed in June 2026 that she would depart when her contract expired, along with midfielder Libby Bance and player Kafaji (Brighton & Hove Albion).

A lack of game time is a familiar problem for goalkeepers. Only one can start, and when a new signing arrives, the pecking order can shift quickly. For Baggaley, the solution was a return to the club that shaped her.

The Derby-born keeper has been a regular in England squads since 2025, though she has yet to earn a senior cap. Regular club football at a WSL side — especially one with momentum behind it — gives her the best possible platform to change that.

For Birmingham, the appeal is obvious. A promoted side needs a reliable, experienced goalkeeper, and Baggaley knows the club's culture from the ground up. For Baggaley, it is a chance to start every week and push her international case. The fit works both ways.