ENGLAND duo Jade Moore and Jo Potter have left Birmingham City Ladies with immediate effect after both players opted to buy out their contracts.
The players approached the club during the mid-season break to negotiate buying out their remaining six months on their contract, which were due to expire in December this year.
The news will come as a big blow to supporters with both Moore and Potter becoming firm first team regulars in recent years and they also played their part as England finished third at last year’s Women’s World Cup.
A statement released by the Blues said: “The negotiations represent an excellent deal for the Club as these two players could have left for free in 6 months’ time.
“Though some fans might be disappointed with the news, the Club are extremely happy with the deal that was reached which will benefit the team’s development, and also assist off the pitch activities, as we move forward with our new vision for the future.
“The Club would like to place on record their thanks to Andrew Brooks from Agency Sport for assisting the negotiations and the girls for their service to the Blues Ladies.”
Moore began her playing career at Doncaster Rover Belles in 2004 and moved to Lincoln City a year later where she spent three seasons before joining Leeds United in 2008.
There she helped Leeds reach the FA Cup final where they lost out to Arsenal but she helped them lift the Premier League Cup Final which is seen as Leeds’ first major piece of silverware.
In December 2010, Moore moved to Birmingham City Ladies just before the launch of the FA Women’s Super League and went on to play a key role in the club’s FA Cup success four years ago.
Moore has represented England at youth level before going on to make her full international debut for the senior team in October 2011.
Potter’s career in football began at Chesterfield’s Centre of Excellence and she also had a small spell at Sheffield Wednesday before the Blues in 2002.
After just one season she signed for Arsenal and went on to win the FA premier League and Women’s FA Cup.
After a successful season with the Gunners, Potter signed for Charlton Athletic until the club disbanded in 2007 due to financial cutbacks and a move to Everton followed.
A year later, Potter returned to the Blues where she has remained and won the FA Cup again back in 2012. Potter also helped the Blues finish runner-up in the Women’s Super Leage twice in 2011 and 2013, while competing in two UEFA Women’s Champions League campaigns.
