"A moment I’ll never forget."
Wrexham AFC Women have announced the signing of Pakistan international Mariam Mahmood, alongside Josie Smith and Hannah Snape.
The trio joined on one-year contracts running until the end of the 2025/26 season.
Wrexham women compete in the Adran Premier, the first tier of women’s football in Wales.
For Mariam Mahmood, it marks more representation for British South Asians within football.
The 21-year-old forward joined the Red Dragons after a notable spell at West Brom, where she made over 80 first-team appearances.
Let’s explore her career to date.
Rise Through West Brom
Affectionately known as ‘Maz’ by fans and teammates, Mariam Mahmood progressed through the ranks at West Brom.
She began her journey in the club’s academy and was promoted to the first-team set-up in 2021.
Before breaking into senior football, Mahmood had a loan spell with Kewford Eagles, which helped prepare her for life in Albion’s first team.
Her breakthrough came under the guidance of Head Coach Siobhan Hodgetts-Still at West Brom’s Emerging Talent Centre.
Mahmood quickly became a popular figure within the squad, demonstrating a natural flair for attacking play.
Mahmood’s most productive seasons came in 2022/23 and 2023/24. She finished 2022/23 as West Brom’s top scorer and continued her fine form the following season, netting seven goals in all competitions in 2023/24.
She made over 80 first-team appearances but in June 2025, it was announced that the attacker was among the names released.
International Career
Mariam Mahmood was born in England, but in 2022, she held talks with Pakistani officials about playing for the national team.
In June 2025, she received her first call-up to the Pakistan women’s national squad as part of a contingent of six diaspora players preparing for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualification rounds in Jakarta.
Mahmood made an immediate impact, scoring two goals on her debut against Kyrgyzstan in July.
Expressing gratitude and praising her teammates, she wrote on Instagram:
“Making my debut and scoring for the Pakistan Women’s National Team in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers was a dream come true.
“Wearing the green shirt on the international stage and finding the back of the net was more than a dream come true.
“A moment I’ll never forget. Grateful for the opportunity, the journey, and the people who helped me get here.
“This team is something special, a group full of heart, talent, and sisterhood. Sharing this experience with them made it even more unforgettable.”
Wrexham Move
On August 29, 2025, Wrexham AFC Women announced it had signed Mariam Mahmood.
Reflecting on her move to the Welsh side, Mahmood said:
“I’m delighted to be signing. It’s such a big club, with a good fan base and a lot of potential.
“I’m really excited to be joining.”
Head Coach Jenny Sugarman, who previously worked with Mahmood at West Brom, praised her abilities, stating:
“Maz, Josie and Hannah have all settled into the squad excellently and I’m really happy they have chosen to join us at such an exciting time for the team.
“Having worked with Maz at West Brom, I know she adds flair to our attacking play and has already shown her ability to unlock defences in preseason.”
Sugarman also reflected on the squad’s preparation ahead of their season opener against Briton Ferry Llansawel: “The squad is really coming together now.
“We hope that our supporters will be able to make the trip next weekend and look forward to welcoming everyone back to the Rock for our first home game of the season.
“Our fans will play a key role. We hope that they can really get behind the team and help us create a fortress at the Rock.”
Mariam Mahmood may have departed West Brom but it has led to a new opportunity at Wrexham.
She brings her experience, goal-scoring ability, and attacking flair to the Welsh side.
As the Red Dragons prepare for the upcoming season, Mahmood is expected to play a key role in the team’s ambitions both domestically and internationally.
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