Man City complete Naomi Layzell signing

Manchester City have signed talented defender Naomi Layzell from Bristol City.

Layzell was only 16 years of age when she made her senior debut with Bristol in 2020. She helped the Robins achieve promotion back to the top flight in 2023 and impressed in the WSL last season despite the campaign ultimately ending in relegation.

Now aged 20, the centre-back has signed a long-term contract at the Etihad Campus until 2028 and will wear the number three shirt recently vacated by Demi Stokes.

"It's quite surreal to be honest. You always want to play for the top teams as a young player and I think joining City is an exciting opportunity for me," Layzell said.

"Playing alongside and against top elite professionals in the world is just a brilliant opportunity and a really hard one to turn down. I grew so much as a person at Bristol City, but I felt it was time for me to find a new challenge. I'm really excited to get involved."

City manager Gareth Taylor commented: "We're pleased to add Naomi to the team for next season. She's a quality defender and we're looking forward to helping her grow and develop as a player."

For City, Layzell is a sixth arrival of the summer transfer window as they look to finally topple Chelsea after running the reigning champions agonisingly close for the WSL title in May.

Vivianne Miedema is the headline addition of all the new recruits, joining as a free agent following her surprise release by Arsenal. Japanese internationals Risa Shimizu, Aoba Fujino and Ayaka Yamashita have also joined, as has England youth goalkeeper Eve Annets.

In a summer of change, Steph Houghton, Esme Morgan, Filippa Angeldahl, Ellie Roebuck and Ruby Mace, as well as the aforementioned Stokes, have left since the end of last season. But City will, overall, feel their squad is in a stronger position as they search for a first WSL title since 2016.

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