Everton have signed Finland forward Jutta Rantala from Leicester City, becoming the third player to move between the clubs this summer. Everton are understood to have activated an undisclosed release clause to secure the 26-year-old, despite Rantala having a year left on her Leicester contract, as the WSL side continues to strengthen its squad following relegation-driven upheaval at the Foxes.

Rantala scored 13 goals in 48 appearances for Leicester after joining from Swedish club Vittsjo GIK in 2023, and was the club's player of the season and top scorer in 2023-24 before a knee injury disrupted her following campaign. She has also scored 10 goals in 36 caps for Finland and featured at Euro 2025. She is the sixth player to leave Leicester since their relegation from the Women's Super League in June, following France forward Noemie Mouchon's free transfer to Everton last week and Wales striker Hannah Cain's move back to Merseyside days later. Everton, who finished eighth in the WSL last season under new permanent manager Scott Phelan, have now made six signings this summer.