Plumptre Joins Saudi’s Al-Ittihad on Free Transfer
Nigeria’ Super Falcons defender, Ashleigh Plumptre, has joined Saudi club Al-Ittihad on a free transfer, having left Leicester City.
Plumptre, who played all four Nigeria matches at the Women’s World Cup, is one of the Saudi Women’s Premier League’s most high-profile signings.
A former age-group international with England, she swietched allegiance to Nigeria in 2022.
“(I am) excited to start this journey alongside some incredible human beings,” the 25-year-old announced yesterday.
Plumptre started all but two of Leicester’s Women’s Super League games last season as the team finished 10th.
Kelly Lindsey, a former US international who this summer left the role of Lewes FC’s head of performance, will be Plumptre’s new manager at Al-Ittihad.
Men’s Saudi Pro League teams have spent eye-catching sums in the transfer window, with Al-Ittihad’s recent additions including Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante, and this has led to accusations the country is seeking to ‘sportswash’ its reputation.
