18-year-old goalkeeper Sophie Jackson has signed her first professional contract with Tottenham Hotspur Women after four years in the club academy. The England youth international now has her sights set on challenging for the number one shirt in north London.

Competition for the goalkeeping spot at Hotspur Way is getting fiercer under coach Ian Willocks. Alongside senior keepers Lize Kop and Selma Panengstuen, Sophie Jackson has spent three seasons testing herself in first-team training. Now Tottenham Hotspur have handed the teenager her first pro contract. Although she only turned 18 this month, she knows the demands of senior football.

After all, Jackson has worked toward this moment since joining at Under 14 level. Calling the deal a childhood dream, she told the club, “It’s a proud day for me and my family.” Rather than settling for a backup role, she wants to prove her worth to Willocks and Martin Ho right away. She added, “Then further on in my career, I hope to make my debut and become a regular.”

Her record at youth level shows why the club rates her so well. During the 2024-2025 season, she captained the Under 16s to the Professional Game Academy Trophy and earned a senior bench spot. Last May, she even started alongside senior stars against Manchester United and Aston Villa at the World Football Sevens. Those games helped her earn England caps at Under 19 and Under 20 levels.

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Tying Jackson down comes soon after fellow academy talent Jhanaie Pierre also signed pro terms. For Ho, watching two homegrown teenagers step up into the senior squad proves the youth coaches are doing a great job. The Spurs boss believes that handing deals to academy players gives younger age groups a clear target to chase. Every girl in the youth setup can now see a real path up.

Looking at what comes next, Ho said, “This is an important milestone in her development, and having both Sophie and Jhanaie Pierre sign professional deals is a strong endorsement of our academy progress.” He added, “We want every player in our academy to see a genuine route into senior football here.” While Jackson will keep playing for the Under 19s for now, her debut is getting closer.