Charlton Athletic have secured the signing of full-back Ashleigh Neville from Leicester City on a two-year contract. The 33-year-old, who has surpassed 100 Women’s Super League appearances, adds significant top-flight experience to newly promoted Charlton and reunites with manager Karen Hills, with whom she worked for three years at Tottenham during their rise to the WSL.
Neville said she’s thrilled to join Charlton, highlighting her familiarity with Hills’ methods and her eagerness to contribute both on and off the pitch with the know-how she’s gained in the WSL.
Neville moved to Leicester on an 18-month deal in January, but the Foxes were relegated after losing a play-off to Charlton in May. With no relegation release clause believed to be in her contract and no mutual termination agreed, Charlton are thought to have paid a fee for her transfer.
Leicester, meanwhile, have brought in Republic of Ireland internationals Jessie Stapleton and Jessica Ziu from West Ham for undisclosed fees. Stapleton, 21, is understood to have signed a three-year deal, while 24-year-old Ziu has agreed a two-year contract. Stapleton, a defender who can also operate in midfield, found first-team chances limited at West Ham and spent time on loan at Reading, Sunderland and Nottingham Forest. She said she’s delighted to join a club with strong ambitions and believes it’s the right place to develop and help push Leicester back to where they aim to be.
Ziu, who made 23 appearances across four years at West Ham and spent the first half of last season on loan at Bristol City, said the club’s plan and structure were major draws and that she’s eager to play in front of the King Power Stadium crowd.