'An exciting young talent' - Meet NI's new recruit

Emily Cassap received her first call-up to the Northern Ireland senior squad after progressing through club and youth international football. Michael McArdle described her development at Sunderland and a loan spell at Middlesbrough as strong, and credited her standout performances with Northern Ireland Under-19s under Gail Redmond. Cassap is expected to make her senior debut in June’s World Cup qualifiers against Turkey and Switzerland. She switched international allegiance earlier in the year and previously reached major youth milestones with England, including the Under-17 Euros final and World Cup quarter-finals. Primarily a central midfielder, she can also play as a wing back, offering versatility for international roles.

"It took him a few attempts to get hold of her, but Michael McArdle knew it would be worth the wait for Emily Cassap. When the teenager got off the training pitch and back to her phone, she discovered she had been called up to the Northern Ireland squad for the first time. For manager McArdle, they are the best phone calls to make. A former England youth international, Sunderland midfielder Cassap is in line to make her senior Northern Ireland debut in June's World Cup qualifiers with Turkey and Switzerland."

""Emily has made strong progress with Sunderland and then Middlesbrough [where she spent the second half of the season on loan]," McArdle said. "She has worked under Gail with the Under-19s where she was one of the standout performers. "We have known her for a good period of time and we look at her with excitement. "We see her potential and has earned that recognition.""

"Cassap arrives in Northern Ireland's senior squad with a strong pedigree. In 2024 she helped England to the final of the Under-17 Euros and the quarter-finals of the World Cup. After breaking into Sunderland's first team as a 16-year-old, she signed her first professional contract with the club two years ago, and she got more senior experience with Middlesbrough in the second half of the season in the third tier."

"While Cassap is used to playing in the centre of midfield, where Northern Ireland have traditionally played three players, she can also operate out wide in the wing back role. Her versatility is another aspect to her game that can help her grow on the international stage. "When they are young it is great as that versatility gives them opportunity," McArdle added. "As they transition into senior"

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