Leicester poised to sign full-back Ashleigh Neville from Tottenham

• Spurs sign Julie Blakstad after bringing in Hanna Wijk

• Arsenal sign Sweden right-back Smilla Holmberg

Leicester are poised to sign the experienced full-back Ashleigh Neville from their fellow Women’s Super League club Tottenham, the Guardian understands, after the north London club completed deals for Julie Blakstad and Hanna Wijk.

According to sources, an agreement has been reached for Neville’s move. Tottenham on Monday announced the signing of the Norway international Blakstad on as free transfer, after her contract expired at Hammarby. The 24-year-old former Manchester City player can operate as a winger, wing-back or left-back.

Neville is Tottenham’s longest-serving player, having been with the club for eight and a half years, and has been a core part of their side since promotion to the second tier in 2017. A fans’ favourite, she became in February 2025 the first player to make 100 WSL appearances for Tottenham and was a key part of the side that reached the club’s first Women’s FA Cup final in 2024.

Neville’s switch to Rick Passmoor’s Leicester is expected to bring regular starting opportunities after Tottenham also signed the Sweden full-back Wijk. The 22-year-old Wijk can, like Neville, play at left-back or right-back and Tottenham are evolving their squad. Leicester are understood to be targeting players with more WSL experience, having often had the youngest average age in the division in their starting side this season. Continue reading...