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Saturday, January 17, 2026

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Rachel Williams returns ‘home’ to Leicester  

Rachel Williams has become Leicester City’s latest January signing, having joined from Manchester United in a permanent transfer, subject to clearances.   

 

The vastly experienced 38-year-old forward, who started her career with the Foxes, has signed a one-and-a-half-year contract at King Power Stadium, with the Football Club holding an extension option.

 

Speaking to Foxes Hub following the move, Rachel said: "I started my career here and I've always said I'd like to come back. Leicester is my hometown, I absolutely love Leicester and have always followed the Foxes.

 

"I feel like I still have a lot to offer for the Club, and the opportunity to come back is something I've been looking forward to doing.”

 

A Leicester native, Rachel completes a full circle, having launched her senior career with the Foxes in 2004 after progressing through the Club’s then Centre of Excellence, which she joined as a 12-year-old.

 

She returns to LE2 with a depth of elite level experience having represented Chelsea, Birmingham City, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United over the course of a 16-year stint spent entirely within the top tier of English football.

 

Internationally, Rachel has a total of 13 caps for England, earned between 2009 and 2017, and one cap for Great Britain having taken part in the 2012 London Olympics.

 

Her accolades include two Women's FA Cup winners’ medals, won in 2012 and 2023, and one WSL Golden Boot, won in 2011.

 

She has now joined up with the squad at Belvoir Drive as preparations continue ahead of their Adobe Women’s FA Cup fixture with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday 18 January (12pm kick off).  

Leicester have also announced that midfielder Emilia Pelgander will spend the remainder of the season on loan with Danish A-Liga side HB Køge, subject to international clearance and league approval.

 

The 21-year-old Swedish youth international became an LCFC Women player in January 2024 and made 17 appearances for the club before heading to join FC Rosengård on loan last year.