Ex-Hatter Lauren signs pro deal with Reading Women

The 23-year-old who was born and raised in Luton helped The Royals gain promotion to the Woman’s Super League One before putting pen to paper on her first pro deal.

Bruton, who first moved to Reading in 2013, said: “I am really proud to have been given a full time professional contract with Reading.

“It is something I have been aspiring for since I first started playing as I knew this is what I wanted to do for a living.

“To be able to say that I have reached one of my targets through my career is great for me, and now I am looking forward to pushing on and achieving more – all the hard work has paid off.”

Bruton started her glistening career playing for Luton Town Ladies and scoring over 200 goals before Arsenal snapped her up in 2008.

Her impressive performances earned her a call up to the England U17s side and she was part of the U19 squad that won the European Championship in Belarus in 2009.

The former Luton Town starlet left Arsenal to join Reading Women FC in 2013 who are managed by her former team mate, Jayne Ludlow.

Shea said: “I didn’t have any doubts about my career after leaving Arsenal as I knew I would still be playing in a top league in the English game and also, having one of the best players to ever play in the English leagues, Jayne Ludlow as ourmanager.

“I knew she would get the best out of me and push me to be a better player than I was at Arsenal.”

The Reading vice-­captain, who is currently participating in gruelling pre­season training is looking, forward to starting the new campaign in March and her first game is against none other than her former side the Gunners.

She added: “It’ll be a good test to play against Arsenal. We have played them a couple of times over the last two seasons and it did feel a bit strange at first as I was there for so long but now every time I step on the pitch for Reading I want to win every game and this one will be no different.

“I’m just looking forward to be playing against the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal etc.

“It will be a really good test, and being able to play against top calibre players is something that I have always wanted to do”.