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Friday, September 5, 2025

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Foxes make four deadline day signings

Leicester City Women have had a busy transfer deadline day by announcing four new players who will join up with their squad ahead of the new Barclays Women’s Super League season, as well as the appointment of Rick Passmoor to their coaching staff.

Midfielder Emily van Egmond, 32, joins on a permanent basis from Birmingham City and signs a two-year contract at the King Power Stadium, while the club also holds an additional one-year option.

 

Speaking to Foxes Hub, Emily said: “I am really excited to be here and can't wait to get started. I'll bring my experience to the Club and hopefully help the team win games.

 

"I want to show my mentality and show what it takes to win games in this league. I've been involved in the game for a number of years now and I'm excited to see what we can do together."

 

Emily arrives in Leicestershire as the second highest appearance maker in Australian history having earned 163 caps for the Matildas since making her debut against North Korea in 2010. The New South Wales native brings a wealth of experience accumulated over a 17-year professional career that has seen her represent clubs across Europe and the United States.

 

She began her career at hometown side Newcastle Jets in 2008 before moving to Canberra United, and in 2011 made her first switch to Europe with Danish side Fortuna Hjørring. Emily’s career has since spanned some of the world’s most competitive leagues, with spells at Western New York Flash, Seattle Reign, and Chicago Red Stars, alongside stints in Germany with FFC Frankfurt and VfL Wolfsburg.

 

Her first experience of English football came during the 2020-21 season with a move to West Ham United, where she opened her goalscoring account against Manchester United in October 2020.

Olivia McLoughlin has become the latest summer signing, joining the Foxes on a permanent basis from Scottish Premiership side Rangers, subject to league approval. The 20-year-old makes the move to King Power Stadium after 19 productive months in Scotland and has signed a three-year contract in Leicestershire.

 

Reflecting on the move, Olivia told Foxes Hub: "I am really excited to be here, and this is definitely the right move for the next chapter of my career. The Club has big ambitions and achieving in the WSL this season is important for me.

 

"I pride myself on the defensive side of the game. I'll bring a lot of energy and hard work. Hopefully the fans will see that from me. I am experienced in high-pressure moments, and I want to bring that to the team."

 

A versatile player, comfortable both in midfield and defence, Olivia began her senior career with Birmingham City before making the switch across the city to Aston Villa in the summer of 2020.

 

She arrives in Leicestershire as a regular England Under-23 international and adds Barclays Women’s Super League experience to the squad having represented Villa in the WSL between 2020 and 2023. A loan spell back with Birmingham City in 2023 furthered her development before she made the move north of the border to join Scottish giants Rangers where she has continued to enjoy regular minutes.

 

On the international stage, Olivia made her England Under-23 debut in a 1–0 victory over Portugal and has since gone on to earn five further appearances in a Lionesses shirt.  

Arsenal defender Cecily Wellesley-Smith has made a switch to the LCFC Women ranks after a season-long loan was agreed, subject to league approval.

 

The 18-year-old makes the move to King Power Stadium having signed her first professional contract with the Gunners in June 2025 following a move from Oxford United in August 2024.

 

Speaking on Foxes Hub, Cecily said: “I'm really excited. There are such great facilities and a great environment here and I just want to help the team do well. We’ll all be pushing together for good results.

 

"All the staff and the girls have been really welcoming, and I just can’t wait to get started now.”

 

The centre back joins as a regular England youth international and most recently gained senior experience with Oxford United in the FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division on a dual-registration agreement.

 

During her time at Arsenal, Cecily has enjoyed regular training time within the senior environment and was a key figure in the 2024/25 PGA League Under-21 Division One title triumph.  

The team’s attacking options have been further strengthened this summer with the addition of Moroccan international Rosella Ayane, subject to international and league clearance. The 29-year-old forward arrives at King Power Stadium on a free transfer and agrees a one-year contract with the Club, with City holding an additional one-year option.

 

Speaking to Foxes Hub following her move, Rosella said: “I'm looking forward to the start of the season and the journey ahead. My previous experience will help me here.

 

"I can tell we have such a good group of people and I've seen our potential on the pitch. I am here to help push that and drive forward. There is so much quality, I think we can do really good things."

 

Rosella brings extensive Barclays Women’s Super League experience to the squad having made over 100 appearances for Tottenham Hotspur across all competitions during a six-year tenure in London.

 

The forward has enjoyed a fruitful and productive career having graduated from the Chelsea Centre of Excellence in 2013 and rapidly progressing during loan spells with Millwall, Bristol City and Everton in 2015 and 2016. In 2017, Rosella joined Cypriot side Apollon Limassol, where she netted an impressive 14 goals in 15 league games. A one-year spell with Bristol City followed before she joined Spurs in 2019.

 

Rosella has been a pivotal figure for the Morocco national team, earning 35 caps since her debut in a 3-0 victory over

Mali in 2021- a game in which she scored just one minute into her substitute appearance.