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Everton make double swoop

Everton have made the double signings of Hayley Ladd and Emma Watson, both from Manchester United.

The Toffees have signed Wales international Hayley Ladd on a permanent deal from Manchester United for an undisclosed fee. A versatile operator with more than 90 senior international caps, Ladd, who can play in defence and midfield, joins as the Toffees' fourth signing of the January transfer window.

Ladd says she is looking forward to playing alongside the Blues’ “competitive” squad and under manager Brian Sorensen.

“I’m just really excited to be here and to get going,” Ladd told evertontv. “It’s an amazing club with a big history, especially in the women's game. It's a real privilege and a pleasure to be here.

“The squad, first of all, looks really competitive and there are obviously loads of top players. With Brian, he's really impressive. I think he's got clear ideas of how he wants to play. It's great to play under a manager who's got those ideas and really wants to dominate the ball. I'm really excited just to get started working with him.”

Ladd boasts of wealth of valuable experience, having previously spent time at Arsenal, in Finland on loan with Kokkola Futis 10, Coventry City, Bristol City, Birmingham City and most recently, Manchester United, where she won the club’s Player of the Season award for 2019-20.

Everton have also signed Scotland international Emma Watson on loan from Manchester United until the end of the 2024-25 season. The 18-year-old midfielder joins as the Blues’ fourth signing of the January transfer window, following the transfer of France international forward Kelly Gago and loan arrival of Spain Under-23s defender Martina Fernandez.

Watson believes Everton has proven to be a positive environment for young players to develop, and she is looking forward to playing for manager Brian Sorensen’s side in front of Toffees supporters at Walton Hall Park.

“I'm absolutely buzzing to be here,” Watson told evertontv. “I've really enjoyed my first day here, getting to meet everyone, getting to know the girls and having a look around the facility. I'm really excited.”

Watson, who turns 19 later this month, already has experience of playing and scoring in the Champions League, as well as internationally for Scotland, netting against both Costa Rica and Finland as a 16-year-old in 2023.

(Source: evertonfc.com)