Captain Tierney stays on as relegated Leicester plan rebuild

Leicester City's women's team has seen a significant player exodus this summer following relegation from the Women's Super League (WSL) to the second-tier WSL 2. Fourteen players have already departed during the transfer window, including nine who featured in the play-off defeat by Charlton Athletic. Goalkeeper Janina Leitzig moved to Manchester United, while attacking players Hannah Cain, Noemie Mouchon and Jutta Rantala joined Everton.

Despite the upheaval, the club received a boost when longest-serving player and captain Sam Tierney signed a new contract until 2028 in July. The 27-year-old joined from Sheffield United in 2020, has made 151 appearances, and has played under seven different managers during her time at the club.

Tierney said she has built a genuine connection with Leicester and believes the club is now at a stage where it can rebuild, adding that the club currently has an unfair reputation despite being a strong, family-oriented environment.

A difficult season

Last season proved difficult, with the team winning just two of 22 matches and finishing with a goal difference of -41. This raised concerns about the club's future, including questions over whether the team would continue playing at King Power Stadium and whether its budget would be reduced. However, the club has allowed departing players to leave for significant transfer fees, which have been reinvested into the squad.

During pre-season, Leicester beat Rugby Borough, drew with Manchester United and lost to Liverpool. Six new signings have joined the squad, while three other players, alongside Tierney, have renewed their contracts.

Leicester will open their WSL 2 campaign against Sheffield United on 6 September. Tierney expressed hope that the club can become more sustainable and avoid the yo-yo pattern between divisions seen in recent years, while acknowledging that change will not happen immediately.