Wolves Women have added experience and leadership to Dan McNamara’s side with the signing of former Nottingham Forest captain Lyndsey Harkin.
The defender spent the last 10 years at the City Ground having rejoined Forest for a second spell at her hometown club, but she has now made the decision to move back to the Women’s National League and join Wolves.
Harkin made her senior debut in 2005 as a 14-year-old before switching to the top flight of women’s football five years later with Doncaster Belles.
One of the most historic clubs in women’s football, Belles became one of the eight founding teams of the WSL in Harkin’s second year in Doncaster, but two years after the team were demoted following a restructure in 2013, the defender returned to Forest, where she remained for the next decade.
Harkin would go on to make over 300 appearances in red and captained the team to the FAWNL Northern Premier Division title last season, which Forest claimed just three points ahead of McNamara’s side.
As Harkin makes the move to Wolves, McNamara said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have brought Lyndsey to Wolves as it was probably one that’s come out of the blue a little bit.
“We all thought Lyndsey was going to remain at Forest, but when I heard she was potentially interested in the move, it was an absolute no brainer to bring her to Wolves. It was one of those where if you get the opportunity, you’ve got to strike quick and get it done, so having her here is definitely a bonus.
“Her leadership qualities as an individual, and the way she holds herself and the standards that she drives, it was a simple decision for us to bring her in and add real firepower to our back line. With the leadership qualities and her experiences over the last few years, that will certainly help the group as we felt it was really important to bring someone in who can really lead us forward.”
Harkin is the second Wolves addition of the last few weeks to arrive from Forest, having joined Amy Sims in making the move across the midlands this summer.
She will also be welcomed into the Old Gold group by her former teammates Charlotte Greengrass and Becky Anderson, who both made the switch from the City Ground 12 months ago and have already become key members of McNamara’s side.
But getting the captain of last season’s champions to join his group was a big coup for the manager, who believes the environment around the squad which has been created behind the scenes at Compton Park has been crucial to securing his latest additions.
“Before we talk about any kind of contracts or money, I always say to the girls who are potentially interested in signing to come in and have a look around the environment to get a feel for the place,” McNamara explained. “I sat down with Lyndsey a few days after she came in and asked her how she felt, and she said she almost felt like it was home to her.
“She felt really comfortable and enjoyed it, so that was incredible to hear, because having spent as long as she has at one club and achieved all she has done with Forest, it really says a lot about the environment we strive to create at Wolves.
“We’re absolutely delighted to have Lyndsey with us and hopefully she can add not just on the pitch, but also off the pitch too.”
Season tickets for Wolves Women's 2025/26 FAWNL campaign are on sale, priced from just £7.50. Click here to purchase your season ticket today.
