Everton midfielder Aurora Galli suffers ACL injury

Everton have confirmed midfielder Aurora Galli suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in their opening WSL game against Brighton on Saturday.

The Toffees returned to league action over the weekend, but suffered a heavy defeat against Dario Vidosic's side. Brighton summer signing Kiko Seike scored a hat-trick on her league debut, while former Chelsea star Fran Kirby also scored from the penalty spot.

Everton's disappointing afternoon was compounded in the final ten minutes at the Broadfield Stadium when Galli went down in pain inside the Blues' box. She immediately signalled for treatment, and later hobbled off the pitch with the support of Everton's medical staff.

On Wednesday, the worst was confirmed when the club released a statement announcing the Italy international had suffered an ACL injury. Manager Brian Sorensen had earlier revealed after the game that Galli was on crutches, and the early signs did not look good for the 27-year-old.

Galli will now undergo rehabilitation at the club's training base, Finch Farm. She initially joined from Juventus back in 2021, and agreed a new deal to keep her on Merseyside as recently as July.

She provided three goals and two assists in 19 WSL appearances last season and had become an integral figure under Sorensen as the Toffees secured an eighth place finish last term.

Galli’s national team have already qualified for Euro 2025 in Switzerland next summer. The midfielder will hope to return in time to make the squad for the tournament.

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