‘ I’m excited’ – Ashleigh Plumptre hints on next destination after Leicester’s exit

Ashleigh Plumptre started all of Nigeria’s four matches at the recent 2023 Women’s World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand, helping her country keep three clean sheets

Super Falcons defender Ashleigh Plumptre has hinted that she will be moving abroad to join a new club after leaving Women’s Super League(WSL) side Leicester City at the end of last campaign, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 25-year-old made her maiden World Cup appearance with the Super Falcons at the 2023 edition hosted in Australia and New Zealand, having been called up by head coach Randy Waldrum in the 23-player Nigeria squad for the tournament

She started all of Nigeria’s four matches, helping the Falcons to keep three clean sheets as the team reached the round of 16 before being eliminated by England on penalties after a 0-0 draw.

Plumptre and her Super Falcons teammates were applauded by fans for their excellent outing at the showpiece following their exit from the hands of the European champions.

With the regular football leagues now resuming after the break, the Nigerian defender wants to turn her attention toward club football, and joining a new team is her priority now.

She will be joining a new team as a free agent, having departed Leicester City at the expiry of her contract at the King Power Stadium at the end of last season.

The former Notts County star has now hinted that she has signed for a new club outside of England, claiming that the same drive that made her switch allegiance to Nigeria is behind her motive to join the new club.

Plumptre further revealed that she initially didn’t want to join the new club but had a change of heart after a conversation with the coach.

I cannot reveal the team yet because it has not been announced. The team I’m going to is the same thing I kind of just spoke about in terms of my reason for playing for Nigeria, She said during an interview with Eagles Tracker 

I wasn’t interested in the team initially. When my dad brought it up to me I was like no I don’t have interest in going genuinely. And then I had a call with the coach and we spoke about the things I just said.

We spoke about more than football, the things that we want to do in football, the impact I want to have, and the connections that I want to make. Where I’m going completely aligns with who I am. It will be difficult but I’m excited.

Plumptre continued: I am actually going abroad. I guess some people don’t think that because there’s been a lot of rumors. 

Making the trip to play abroad again, be away from family is obviously a big thing but I have a lot of fire in my belly about what I want to do with the people that I believe in like my coaches.

I love her, I think she’s incredible and I can’t wait to play for her and meet my teammates who I have never met before.

The Super Falcons defender has played abroad in the past, wearing the colors of USA Trojans and LA Galaxy OC in the United States before returning to England to play for her hometown club Leicester City.

In her three years at Leicester City, Plumptre registered 4 goals in 79 appearances in all competitions for the Foxes.