Stokes says move to Newcastle 'just made sense'

England defender Demi Stokes says it "just made sense" to return location to play for Newcastle United successful nan Women's Championship.

The 32-year-old is 1 of nan highest-profile signings crossed England's apical 2 tiers this summertime having joined newly-promoted Newcastle from Women's Super League broadside Manchester City.

Stokes came done nan academy astatine Newcastle's rivals Sunderland, breaking into nan first squad aged 16, earlier embarking connected an illustrious career.

She has 69 caps for England and was portion of nan squad that won Euro 2022. At City, Stokes won nan Women's Super League successful 2016, 3 FA Cups and 4 League Cups, arsenic good arsenic making much than 200 appearances.

"I was truthful excited erstwhile I had my gathering pinch [Newcastle's staff]. It conscionable made sense," said Stokes.

"The travel they person been on... I conscionable wanted to beryllium a portion of it. I consciousness for illustration I tin really help, whether that's connected aliases disconnected nan pitch."

Stokes was calved successful Dudley successful nan West Midlands and moved to nan North East arsenic a child.

She is 1 of respective players from nan region who person enjoyed occurrence connected nan world stage, joining retired stars Jill Scott and Steph Houghton, arsenic good arsenic existent Lioness Beth Mead.

There are now 3 North East clubs successful England's 2nd tier pinch Newcastle - who were promoted only 12 months aft nan players went full-time - joining Sunderland and Durham.

"Newcastle were a very eager club. They wanted to push. They said astir wanting to make nan Champions League successful clip and to support getting promoted," said Stokes.

"That successful itself is breathtaking and I wanted to beryllium a portion of that. When I first signed for City, they were very akin successful position of what Newcastle want to do now.

"I've almost been there, seen really it looks and cognize nan things you possibly would alteration and lend to. It's conscionable small things.

"Not everyone knows everything. I'm still learning and truthful is everyone else. It's awesome that I tin still contribute. We person a young squad arsenic well. I wanted to thief wherever I can."

Stokes has already won immoderate awesome prizes but says she will get a "buzz" from representing Newcastle adjacent season.

"When you play shot you are ever looking for that adjacent high, that adjacent buzz. I conscionable cognize I will get that pinch this squad and nan fans," she added.

"What amended measurement to stock that successful Newcastle than pinch my friends and family there."

Newcastle person further bolstered their squad this summertime by signing Northern Ireland's all-time apical scorer Rachel Furness and Jamaica world Shania Hayles, among others.

Alongside them, Stokes hopes to walk connected her acquisition to nan remainder of nan squad aft 9 years astatine City and England successful full-time, master environments.

But what possibly excites her nan astir is nan opportunity to play successful beforehand of friends and family connected a play basis.

"It will beryllium really bully for aged schoolhouse friends to travel and watch games who haven't been capable to because Manchester is excessively far," said Stokes.

"A batch of them person kids and they are Newcastle supporters arsenic well. Everyone backmost location was really excited."

In 2022, Stokes became Manchester City's first subordinate to juggle motherhood pinch master football.

Being capable to bring her boy Harlen to nan North East and to person support from Newcastle was an important facet successful her move.

"[Newcastle] springiness specified a family consciousness and they were really knowing of my situation. I deliberation that's ever nice," said Stokes.

"My boy is allowed to travel into training connected betterment days. Workplaces are going to go much for illustration that arsenic much and much group are seeing you tin do some [roles].

"You tin person kids pinch nan correct support. I don't deliberation it's successful nan correct spot [in position of nan support successful nan women's crippled yet] but it's astir pushing those boundaries and asking for help.

"It's caller for everyone. I ever opportunity nan much we support women and each other, past it will only beryllium for nan best."