Exeter City Football Club can confirm that women's team player Sophie Gillies will depart the club this summer following the expiry of her contract, to pursue a new opportunity.
Sophie, who scored an incredible 109 goals in 106 appearances across two spells with the Grecians, leaves having written her name into the club's history through two promotions and helping establish City at tier three level.
After joining the club's first team as a 16-year-old in tier five, the striker netted 50 goals in her first season while still at school, as City stormed to the South West Regional Premier title in 2019.
During the Covid lockdown, Sophie relocated to America to attend university, becoming the first English player to play for the University of California at Irvine. After graduating, she returned to Exeter mid-way through the 2023/24 season, helping the team secure promotion to the third tier.
It was in the Southern Premier Division where Sophie flourished, scoring a hattrick against MK Dons on her first start at the level, before top scoring for the Grecians in both the 2024/25 and 2025/26 seasons.
During this time, Sophie became the first contracted player in the club's history, and later scored her 100th goal for the club at St James Park against Plymouth Argyle in October 2025, before reaching a century of appearances away at Lewes.
Alongside appearing for City on the pitch, Sophie also worked behind the scenes at the club, helping to grow and engage the women's team supporter base and commercial partnerships through several initiatives, while also operational side of the team.
City Women Manager Abbie Britton said: "I've known Sophie for over 10 years and have had the privilege of playing alongside, managing and working with her off the pitch, seeing first-hand the impact she's had at this football club.
"From lifting the Tier Five trophy with Sophie fresh out the GDC, to playing her at left wing-back during our title win (I'm not sure I'll ever live that down), we've been on a journey with Sophie and her amazing family, and I'm really excited to see what is next for her."
"She's grown as a player and a person, and while I'm gutted to be losing her, I'm incredibly proud of her and everything she's achieved. I want to wish her the best of luck for her future career, on and off the pitch.
"Sophie will always be welcome back at St James Park and will leave as an Exeter City legend."
Thank you, Sophie.