Everton have signed defender Hannah Blundell on a permanent deal, following a loan spell at the club last season. The 32-year-old made 10 appearances on loan from Manchester United before becoming a free agent when her United contract expired in June, with Everton keen to secure her return to Merseyside on a lasting basis.

Blundell said becoming Everton manager Scott Phelan's appointment made the decision easy, and pointed to the camaraderie shown during May's World Sevens tournament as a factor in her choice. She has three England caps and spent five years at Manchester United, making almost 100 appearances, having previously come through Chelsea's academy and played for their first team for eight years until leaving in 2021. She gave birth to her daughter in March 2025 and returned to football later that year.