Portsmouth Women Add Two New Defenders to Help Strengthen at the Back
Evie Milner Brighton during a Subway Womens League Cup tie Claire Jeffrey SPP
Portsmouth Women have signed Evie Milner from Brighton and Arsenal’s Niamh Peacock, both on Academy Development Registrations until the end of the season.
An ADR contract commits a player to a club’s academy while allowing them to gain first-team experience elsewhere, essentially replacing the old dual-registration system.
Milner has been with the Seagulls for a decade, and made her senior debut in a League Cup clash with Charlton.
Boss Jay Sadler told portsmouthfc.co.uk: “We’re delighted to welcome Evie to the club. She’s a young, tenacious full-back, who will add real competition and energy to our defensive unit.
“Captaining Brighton’s academy side speaks volumes about her character and ability, and we’re excited to work with her and support her development for the rest of the season.”
Peacock joined the Gunners’ academy at eight years old and has progressed through to their Under-21s, while getting capped by England at U-15 and U-17 levels.
She spent the first half of the 2025/26 season on a dual registration at Watford.
Sadler said: “I’m pleased Niamh has joined the football club. She is a strong, ball-playing defender who’s gained valuable experience in a top environment at Arsenal.
“We knew we needed to strengthen defensively, and we appreciate Arsenal allowing us to play a role in the next phase of her development.”
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Wilf Frith
Wilf Frith is a women’s football news editor who works for Her Goal Magazine and had been with all its predecessors since 1996, becoming a founding team member after running Sunday Kicks. He has also held previous long-term roles as press officer for the Cornwall Women’s Football League and Penzance Ladies FC.