A star footballer who plays for Ipswich Town swapped her football kit for a graduation gown on Monday evening as she was among graduates from the University of Suffolk.

Sophie Peskett, Town's first professional women's player, has juggled studying for her degree with her blossoming footballing career with Ipswich for the past few years and now has a first-class degree in BSc (Hons) degree in Sport and Exercise Science.

The 21-year-old moved to Suffolk from Hertfordshire to study at the university and play for Town.

Peskett studied Sport and Exercise SciencePeskett studied Sport and Exercise Science (Image: Lucy Taylor)

She said: "Studying at Suffolk worked perfectly with my football at Ipswich Town and allowed me to move up to Ipswich for both of those things.

"Among my highlights at university, I would say, has been meeting various people of different ages and backgrounds that I would not have had the opportunity to become friends with if it hadn’t been for studying here.

"University taught me to enjoy learning something new, and looking back to where I was when I first started at the university I have grown not only in my career and the knowledge that I have now, but I have also matured as a person."

The 21-year-old became Town Women's first professional playerThe 21-year-old became Town Women's first professional player (Image: Gregg Brown/University of Suffolk)

Peskett is the first one in her family to graduate with a university degree.

Currently in her fifth season with Town, the winger has had successful years at the club, being named the division player of the year last season, winning her award at Wembley Stadium, playing and scoring in Town's first league fixture at Portman Road against Chatham Town in March and this season, she has already scored eight goals in all competitions.

Sophie Peskett with Kieran McKenna at the graduation ceremonySophie Peskett with Kieran McKenna at the graduation ceremony (Image: Gregg Brown/University of Suffolk)

Peskett graduated on the same day that first-team manager Kieran McKenna was awarded with his honorary degree from the university.

She said in the future she would like to further her education by completing a masters, but for now she is now focussing on her football career and her season ahead with the Tractor Girls as Joe Sheehan's side push for promotion to the Championship.

Peskett playing for TownPeskett playing for Town (Image: Ross Halls)