Sligo Rovers are thrilled to announce that Sydney Stephens has joined the Bit O’Red ahead of the new season. The 23-year-old arrives at the Showgrounds after completing her Master’s in Sports Management at the University of Illinois, where she combined her academic studies with an impressive collegiate football career with Illinois Soccer.
Sydney joins Sligo Rovers as a midfielder with a reputation for creativity and vision on the pitch. She was a regular starter for the University of Illinois women’s soccer team and made significant contributions in goals and assists while balancing her studies. Alongside her playing career, she has also pursued coaching, completing a grassroots licence to prepare for the future.
Speaking to sligorovers.com, Sydney described her excitement at joining the club and her decision to move to Ireland:
“After my college season finished, I looked at different opportunities to continue developing my game, and Ireland really stood out as a place where I could focus fully on football at a high level. Sligo Rovers showed belief in me and offered the right environment to keep improving, so I’m really excited to get started here.”
Sydney has built a reputation as a creative and intelligent midfielder. She reads the game well, can dictate play from the centre of the pitch, and brings vision, energy, and enthusiasm to the team.
“I like to think I’m a natural leader. I’ve always been the centre of the pitch, so communication naturally comes back to me. I enjoy having the game played through me. I’m creative, comfortable on both feet, and I can play across the pitch, including the wings. I’d rather set up a goal than score one myself. I work hard and give everything on the pitch, and I think speed is a big part of my game. Off the pitch, I like to be vocal too, an engine. Growing up, we always had a mentor for younger players, so that leadership has been ingrained in me, and now I want to role model the way I was guided.”
Her football education began in the St Louis Scott Gallagher academy, where she spent her formative years learning both on and off the pitch. The club instilled in her core values that have stayed with her throughout her career: tradition, passion, humility, respect, and unity.
“I was born and raised in Waterloo, Illinois, and I’ve been playing football as long as I can remember. I completed a Master’s in Sports Management at the University of Illinois because I want to play football for as long as humanly possible and eventually become a coach. I’ve also completed a grassroots coaching licence to give myself every advantage. My time at St Louis Scott Gallagher taught me everything I need to know about culture, core values, and being a team player – tradition, passion, humility, respect, and unity – and those lessons have stuck with me throughout my career.”
Sydney has quickly settled into life at the Showgrounds and praised the welcoming environment from club staff and teammates.
“The move to Sligo has been really welcoming. Damian and Mairead Grimes have been incredibly supportive, and I don’t know what I would have done without their guidance. Gavin Hughes and his staff have also been fantastic. The standards here are high, and no one is guaranteed a place, so we all have to work hard and give everything for the team and the girls.”
Rovers manager Gavin Hughes is confident that Sydney will make an immediate impact both on and off the pitch.
“Sydney is a technically gifted player who brings creativity, speed, and intelligence to every session,” Hughes said. “She’s a natural leader and already commands respect in training. Her experience at a high level of college football, combined with her mentality and professionalism, make her a perfect fit for the squad.”
He added that her influence extends beyond her on-field contributions.
“Off the pitch, Sydney has the character and leadership qualities we value. She understands what it means to be part of a group and is already mentoring some of the younger players. That attitude will be crucial as we continue to build the culture here at Sligo Rovers.”
With Sydney Stephens’ arrival, the squad now numbers nineteen players for the 2026 Women’s Premier Division season, following the earlier signings of Abby Rooney, Ava Hallinan, Alice Lillie, Bonnie McKiernan, Emma Duffy, Leah Kelly, Anna McDaniel, Kelsey McQuillan, Rachel McGoldrick, Katie Melly, Emma Hansberry, Keela Scanlon, Ciara Henry, Cara King, Jessica Casey, Alana Doherty, Keeva Flynn, and Ivana McMahon.
Jack Dempsey