Charlton sign experienced defender Neville as Leicester rebuild after relegation
Newly promoted Charlton Athletic have secured veteran full-back Ashleigh Neville from relegated Leicester City, highlighting the strategic squad restructuring underway in women's professional football.
Charlton Athletic have signed 33-year-old full-back Ashleigh Neville from Leicester City on a two-year contract. The move reunites the defender with manager Karen Hills, under whom she previously earned promotion to the top-flight during a three-year stint at Tottenham.
Neville originally joined Leicester on a one-and-a-half-year deal in January. Because her contract lacked a relegation release clause and no mutual termination was reached, Charlton likely paid a transfer fee to secure her services following Leicester's play-off defeat in May.
The acquisition brings over 100 Women’s Super League appearances to the newly promoted squad. "I'm hoping I can bring experience from the WSL and to bring things on and off the pitch with the way I play," Neville said.
Concurrently, relegated Leicester City are investing in younger talent to mount a promotion challenge. The club has signed Republic of Ireland internationals Jessie Stapleton and Jessica Ziu from West Ham for undisclosed fees.
Stapleton, a 21-year-old versatile defender and midfielder, has agreed to a three-year deal. After struggling to secure a starting position at West Ham, she gained competitive experience through loan spells at Reading, Sunderland, and Nottingham Forest.
Stapleton highlighted the organization's ambition as a key factor in her decision. She noted, "The club can help me grow as a player and I feel I can help the club get back to where it belongs."
Midfielder Jessica Ziu, 24, joins on a two-year contract. She arrives after four years at West Ham, where she made 23 appearances and spent six months on loan at Bristol City last season.
Ziu emphasized the appeal of Leicester's structural planning, stating she is eager to play at the King Power Stadium. These reciprocal moves underscore the active player market as clubs realign their rosters and financial strategies following the conclusion of the domestic season.
