Sunderland AFC have welcomed Sunderland Women's Football Club into the fold.

The Sunderland Echo says the team, which has won the FA Women's Premier League for the last three seasons, will again be known as Sunderland Ladies as they prepare for a new era in the new second division of the Women's Super League.

The new professional league structure means that a full-time role of General Manager will be created, based within SAFC.