Sunderland Ladies suffer transfer blow as key midfielder steps up to the Championship ahead of new campaign

As a player with top-tier experience and having been an intergral part of the side that dominated the National League North last season, Lambert’s departure serves as a significant blow for the Black Cats ahead of the new campaign.

Lambert said it was a ‘very difficult decision’ but that she had ‘no doubt’ her former side would be crowned champions in the 2020/21 season.

Sunderland Ladies were 11 points clear at the top of their division when fixtures were suspended earlier this year due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Despite opting to settle the top-two tiers on a points-per-game basis, the FA declared tiers three to seven null and void and so Sunderland were denied the chance to apply for promotion.

They had also reached the final of the National League Cup, where they were due to face Stoke City.

Lambert’s consistency had made her a key part of that outstanding run of form.

Her new club Durham are hopeful of launching a push for promotion to the Super League, finishing third in the 2019/20 Championship campaign under the PPG formula.

Lambert said: “It was a very difficult decision and one that I had to really think about.

“I just thought I had to be true to myself and thought that this was the best opportunity that I'm going to get.

“It was a no-brainer but I'm really grateful to Sunderland, I wish them really well this season and I know for a fine fact that they will win that league this year, no doubt about it.”

Sunderland’s squad is already changing significantly ahead of the new campaign, for which a start date has still yet to be set.

Key defender Charlotte Potts announced her departure earlier this week, while there is significant interest in prolific goalscorer Bridget Galloway.

Katie Barker and Rachel Woolston have joined local rivals Newcastle United.

To bolster their ranks, The Echo understands that former Middlesbrough duo Olivia Watt and Emily Scarr are set to join the Black Cats.

Lambert’s absence will nevertheless be keenly felt and Durham manager Lee Sanders said he was ‘delighted’ to have sealed the deal.

“We're absolutely delighted that Mollie will be joining us for the new season," he said.

"We've got a fantastic squad at the moment with a lot of experience, but the bigger picture is that the club needs to be investing in the incredibly talented and driven young players we have at the club already and bringing in the best talent in the area that we can.

"Mollie fits into that bracket and she's got some vastly experienced players to learn from - but she will bring her own qualities to the squad too."From watching her over the last couple of years, she plays with a lot of energy and although she may not necessarily catch the headlines as much as others, she gets her head down and works hard which is something we will always want to have at the club."