Manchester United’s Hayley Ladd and Emma Watson set for Everton moves

Everton are set to sign Manchester United midfielders Hayley Ladd on a permanent deal and Emma Watson on loan until the end of the season.

Ladd, who has completed her medical, wanted more game time ahead of this summer’s European Championship, which will be Wales’ first major tournament. She is set to sign an 18-month contract at Everton with the option of a further year.

reported last month the 31-year-old was looking to leave in January, with United willing to listen to the player’s wishes if appropriate offers were made. Her United contract was due to expire at the end of the season and Everton have paid an undisclosed transfer fee to sign her this month.

The Wales international, who joined the club in 2019 from Birmingham City where she worked under manager Marc Skinner, has played only eight league minutes this season and started three League Cup matches.

Ladd leaves United with over 100 appearances to her name and a 2024 FA Cup winner’s medal.

Watson will also be joining Ladd at Everton on loan for the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign. The highly-rated 18-year-old signed her first professional contract when she joined United from Rangers in 2023.

However, she had to wait over a year later to make her debut in a 2-0 win against Everton in November after she suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury while away on international duty with Scotland in September 2023.

Watson has played just seven league minutes this season and started twice in the League Cup. The loan move is an opportunity to play regularly in the hope she will compete for a place in United’s first team upon her return.

Everton later confirmed the news, with Watson telling evertontv: “I’m absolutely buzzing to be here. I’ve really enjoyed my first day here, getting to meet everyone, getting to know the girls and having a look around the facility.

“You can see the young players do get opportunities and get a chance to play. I’ve heard really great things about (manager) Brian (Sorensen) and after listening to the club and the way we play, I definitely think it’s a place that will really suit me and I’m really looking forward to it.”

The arrival of Ladd and Watson add to Everton’s January transfer business following the permanent signing of France international Kelly Gago and Spain Under-23s defender Martina Fernandez on loan until the end of the season.

United are fourth in the Women’s Super League table, level on points with Arsenal, while Everton are ninth, four points off relegation. Skinner’s side are next in action on Saturday against West Bromwich Albion while Everton face Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, both in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

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