Nigerian Defender Ashleigh Plumptre Joins Saudi Womens Football

 

  

Nigerian defender Ashleigh Plumptre has made headlines by joining Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad women's football team.

 

This move is significant in the world of women's football, given the country's strict cultural norms and laws related to women's rights and LGBTQ+ issues.

 

Plumptre, who had a successful tenure with Leicester City in the Women's Super League, has raised eyebrows with her decision to play in Saudi Arabia. 

 

The recruitment of Plumptre into Al-Ittihad was orchestrated by Kelly Lindsey, a former technical director of Lewes who now manages the Saudi Arabian team.

 

Lindsey, an experienced figure in women's football, has worked with teams like the Afghanistan and Morocco women's national teams.

 

She is assisted by Myles Smith, who has spent time with West Ham Women and Manchester United Women, and Dan Smith, the team's goalkeeping coach, who previously worked with Bristol City. 

 

Plumptre expressed her gratitude for the opportunity on social media, highlighting her excitement about personal growth through this journey.

 

She has previously represented Nigeria at the World Cup, switching from England's youth teams to the Nigerian senior squad due to her paternal grandfather's heritage.