Laura Rafferty

Laura Marie Rafferty (born 29 April 1996) is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays as a defender for Scottish Women's Premier League club Rangers and the Northern Ireland national team. She previously played for Chelsea.

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."

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.

In September 2020 Rafferty joined Bristol City on loan for the 2020–21 season. Bristol finished bottom of the WSL table and were relegated to the FA Women's Championship.

On 5 July 2021 Rafferty joined third-tier, Southampton after being released by Brighton. Saints were promoted in the 2021–22 season to the FA Women's Championship, Tier 2 of the English football pyramid. Upon the expiry of her contract with Southampton, Rafferty joined Rangers on a two-year deal.

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

Rafferty was part of the squad that was called up to the UEFA Women's Euro 2022. A a veteran of the Northern Ireland squad, she wore the captain's armband for the first time in 2024 in a qualifying match for UEFA Women's Euro 2025. Later the same year, she led the team out again as she made her 50th international appearance.

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