Leicester City is on the verge of signing experienced full-back Ashleigh Neville from fellow Women’s Super League (WSL) club Tottenham Hotspur. An agreement has reportedly been reached between all parties, paving the way for Neville’s transfer to the East Midlands club. This move comes as Leicester aims to bolster its squad with players who have significant WSL experience.
Neville has been a vital part of Tottenham since joining the club over eight years ago, making her the longest-serving player in their history. She played a crucial role in helping the team secure promotion to the second tier in 2017 and later contributed to their first-ever Women’s FA Cup final appearance in 2024. In February 2025, she marked a significant milestone by becoming the first player to achieve 100 WSL appearances for Tottenham, further solidifying her status as a fan favorite.
Leicester’s head coach, Rick Passmoor, is expected to provide Neville with regular starting opportunities. This follows Tottenham’s recent acquisition of Swedish full-back Hanna Wijk, who, like Neville, is capable of playing both left-back and right-back positions. The addition of Wijk indicates a strategic shift for Tottenham, as they aim to enhance their defensive lineup.
Both clubs have exceeded expectations this season. Leicester currently sits ninth in the league, six points clear of the relegation zone, while Tottenham, often regarded as the surprise package of the season, holds fifth place, just two points off a European qualification spot.
In another move, Tottenham has secured a loan deal for Maika Hamano, the Chelsea forward, for the remainder of the season. The 21-year-old was part of Japan’s squad at the 2024 Paris Olympics and has helped Chelsea clinch the WSL title in the past two seasons. Her contributions include scoring in a crucial victory against Tottenham in May 2024, which propelled Chelsea to the top of the table.
Tottenham’s head coach Martin Ho expressed enthusiasm about Hamano’s arrival, describing her as “a technically gifted and intelligent attacking player who brings creativity, movement, and composure in the final third.” This statement reflects the club’s commitment to enhancing their offensive capabilities as they push for a strong finish this season.
As the transfer window progresses, both Leicester and Tottenham are making strategic moves to strengthen their squads, highlighting the competitive nature of the WSL. The potential signing of Ashleigh Neville marks an important step for Leicester as they continue to build a formidable team capable of challenging for higher league positions.
