Laura Rafferty


Laura Marie Rafferty is a Northern Irish footballer who plays as a defender for Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA WSL 1 and the Northern Ireland national team. She previously played for Chelsea L.F.C. in the FA WSL 1.

Early life

Rafferty began playing football for a local team at the age of eight. After scoring 50 goals in 8 games, she reported being "chucked out of the league." She played for eight years with the Southampton F.C. Academy as well as the Hampshire Centre of Excellence before moving to Chelsea L.F.C.

Club career

Rafferty started her senior career in 2014 at Chelsea F.C. Women. She spent part of 2016 on loan at Oxford United. After three seasons with Chelsea F.C. Women with limited game time, Rafferty signed with Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA WSL 2 in January 2017 for the 2017 Spring Series. The team has since moved up to england's top flight, the FA WSL.

International career

Rafferty made her debut for the Northern Ireland national team on 6 March 2013 in a match against the Republic of Ireland.