Reading Hockey Club is thrilled to announce the signing of forward Anja Atkin for the 2026/27 Women's England Hockey League season. Anja is a senior Welsh International and joins the club from Guildford Hockey Club.

Anja was one of six players in line to receive a first cap for Wales at the 2023 Tri-Nations Series in Uruguay - a milestone that marked her arrival on the senior international stage and confirmed her as one of the most exciting young forwards in Welsh hockey.

Anja has continued to feature in the Wales setup since her debut, and was included in the Welsh senior squad heading into the 2025/26 season. She arrives at Sonning Lane having developed her club game at Guildford and playing in England Hockey Division 1 South.

Walid Abdo, Head of Women's Performance, said: "Anja is exactly the kind of player we want to be attracting to Reading. She has international pedigree, she's hungry to prove herself at the highest club level, and will be a real asset to the Club. I'm looking forward to working with her and seeing what she can contribute to the squad."

Tim Hunt, Chairman of Reading Hockey Club, added: "I’m delighted to be signing a player of Anja's calibre and bringing another full international into the Club. We've worked hard to build an environment that attracts ambitious players, and Anja choosing Reading is a reflection of that. We're delighted to welcome her."

Anja will link up with the Women's 1st XI squad ahead of pre-season for the 2026/27 campaign.

Welcome to Reading, Anja!