Foundation Graduate Chloe Paxton signs new contract after Sunderland AFC first team breakthrough

Foundation of Light graduate Chloe Paxton has earned her first professional contract with Sunderland AFC Women following her breakthrough into the first team.

As Sunderland AFC celebrate Made in Sunderland Week, shining a light on the stories of people who make the city unique, Chloe’s story is one of talent, hard work, setbacks, and determination.

Chloe joined Foundation of Light’s Girls Academy, then the Regional Talent Club (RTC) at Under-14s level, standing out not only for her quality in defence, but having the personality attributes needed to take her to the next level.

As a tough-tackling centre-back who relished the challenge of stopping attacks, Chloe was also a natural leader of her group who would greet everyone at training and communicated well on the pitch.

Her development was disrupted by a serious ACL injury at a crucial stage in her progression. However, with the support of Foundation of Light coaches throughout her rehabilitation, Chloe showed impressive determination to return stronger. She went on to graduate into Sunderland AFC’s Professional Game Academy after Under-16s.

Now 19, Chloe was handed her first-team debut for the Black Cats in the Wear-Tyne Derby, completing a full 90 minutes in a 1-1 draw in front of 10,156 fans at the Stadium of Light.

She followed this up by starting the next fixture away at Birmingham City, again completing the full match, and is now aiming to secure a regular place in the starting lineup.

Her new contract is the latest milestone in Chloe’s first-team breakthrough. On seeing her progress, Wayne Walls, who coached Chloe at the Foundation of Light, said: “I’m delighted for Chloe.

“For all the staff, it’s the purpose of what we do, to develop these players as people and footballers, and to hopefully see them progress into the first team. That’s the ultimate goal.

“Chloe’s success is a reward for her own hard work. Her ability as a footballer, and the kind of person she is, reflects really well on all the coaches who have worked with her. We’re very proud of Chloe.”