Watford Signs Prolific Former Celtic Striker Saoirse Noonan

Watford have moved decisively in the market, snapping up former Celtic forward Saoirse Noonan on a free transfer as they continue to reshape their squad for the new season.

The 27-year-old arrives with serious pedigree. During two ruthless seasons in Glasgow, Noonan scored 57 goals in 74 appearances for Celtic, finishing as the club’s top scorer in back-to-back campaigns and racking up five hat-tricks across those two years. Defenders in the Scottish game knew exactly what was coming. They still could not stop it.

Her time with Celtic brought silverware too. Noonan lifted the Scottish Gas Women’s Scottish Cup last season and gained valuable experience on the European stage in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, adding another layer of edge to her game in front of goal.

This move to Watford marks the latest step in a career that has been built on constant progression. Noonan started out at Cork City in the SSE Airtricity League Women’s Premier Division before earning a switch to Shelbourne, where she enjoyed two separate spells and sharpened her instincts in the box. She already knows English football as well, having spent two years in the Barclays WSL2 with Durham, a stint that should ease her transition back into the league’s demands.

Her impact has not been confined to club football. On the international stage, Noonan has represented the Republic of Ireland 14 times, scoring twice. Those caps speak to a player trusted at the highest level, one used to pressure and expectation.

For Watford, she becomes the club’s fourth signing of the summer window, another piece in a recruitment drive that has focused on adding proven quality rather than simply padding out numbers. They now have a forward who scores in bunches, thrives on responsibility, and has already shown she can carry the goalscoring burden for a major club.

If Noonan finds anything like her Celtic rhythm in Watford colours, this will not just be a smart free transfer. It could be the signing that changes the outlook of their entire season.