Manchester City have announced that Sacha Lewis, the younger sister of England international Rico Lewis, has put pen to paper on her first professional contract with the club's Women's Super League squad.
The 18-year-old defender joins the senior ranks after progressing through City's academy system, having initially arrived at the club at under-14 level. Her path mirrors that of her older brother, who also came through the City academy before establishing himself in the men's first team during Pep Guardiola's tenure as manager.
Sacha, who is three years younger than Rico, has already tasted involvement with the senior squad, having been included in City's matchday group on two occasions last season as the team lifted their first WSL title in ten years. She was also handed a squad place for the Women's League Cup semi-final clash with Chelsea, though a competitive senior debut remains on the horizon for the young defender.
An England Under-19 international, Sacha has been recognised for her contribution and attitude within the club's development structure. Speaking after putting her signature on the new deal, she reflected on what the moment meant to her.
"It's amazing," Lewis said. "A lot of hard work was put in and it's such a great achievement. I'm proud. It means so much, it means even more because I support City. Being here in the academy, not many people get this opportunity so I'm very grateful."
City's director of football, Therese Sjogran, praised the teenager's influence on those around her at the club, describing Lewis as "a shining example to her team-mates despite still being just 18".
The Lewis siblings' connection to City runs deep. Rico made his breakthrough into the men's first team in 2022 and has continued to feature under the club's coaching staff, making 11 Premier League appearances last season. He has also earned recognition on the international stage, winning five caps for England, with his latest cap coming in 2024. His progression from academy prospect to Premier League regular has often been cited as an example of the pathway City's youth setup can offer, and Sacha's rise through the same system suggests the club continues to invest heavily in developing talent from within.
For the City academy, Sacha's advancement to professional status represents another marker of the pipeline the club has built between its youth ranks and senior women's team, following a period in which the WSL side has enjoyed considerable success. Winning the league title after a decade-long wait last season underlined the progress made by the club's women's side, and manager Andree Jeglertz will be eager to build on that achievement as a new campaign approaches.
City's defence of their WSL crown is set to begin on 6 September, when they host newly promoted Birmingham City at home. Whether Sacha Lewis will feature in that fixture or make her senior bow before the season progresses remains to be seen, but her professional deal marks a significant personal milestone as she looks to follow the trajectory blazed by her brother within the same footballing institution that shaped both their careers.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport Football.