Claire Skinner (born 17 February 1997) is a footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for the Wales national team[1] and Welsh Premier Women's Football League club Swansea City.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | (1997-02-17) 17 February 1997 (age 25) | ||
| Place of birth | Guildford, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) | ||
| Position(s) | Goalkeeper | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Guildford Saints | |||
| Chelsea | |||
| Fulham | |||
| Reading | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2014–2016 | Reading | ||
| 2016 | Cwmbran Celtic | ||
| 2016–2017 | Cyncoed | ||
| 2017 | Aston Villa | ||
| 2017–2018 | Oxford United | ||
| 2018–2020 | Cardiff City Ladies | ||
| 2020 | Cardiff City | 0 | (0) |
| 2020 | Swansea City | 0 | (0) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2015– | Wales | 7 | (0) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 6 February 2016 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 6 February 2016 | |||
Skinner was born in Guildford, and started playing locally with Guildford Saints. Despite starting her game playing as a striker, at the club she replaced the goalkeeper who was unavailable, and played as a goalkeeper since then. She then joined Chelsea's summer camp, resulting in her trialling and playing for the Chelsea under-12 side.[2] As well as Chelsea, she played at youth level for Fulham and Reading.[2] Skinner has played for Cwmbran Celtic and Cyncoed in the Welsh Premier Women's Football League (WPWL).[2] In 2017, Skinner spent some time with Aston Villa,[3] and in July 2017 joined Oxford United.[4] In August 2020, Skinner signed with WPWL side Cardiff City.[5]
Skinner's grandfather is from the district Mumbles, and through him she is eligible to represent Wales.[2] In April 2016, she made her international debut against Kazakhstan, coming on in extra-time of the second half, replacing Laura O'Sullivan. A couple of months later, in June 2016, she made her first start, playing the full ninety minutes of a 2–0 loss to Norway during the Euro 2017 qualifiers.[6] She was then called-up for the remaining qualifiers, against Israel and Austria,[7] playing the full match in the 3–0 victory over Israel.[8] In February 2017, she was called up for the 2017 Cyprus Women's Cup.[9][10] In February 2018, she was called up for the 2018 Cyprus Women's Cup.[11] In October 2019, she was called up for the Euro 2021 qualifiers.[12]