Everton have completed the permanent signing of Hannah Blundell after the defender impressed during her loan spell from Manchester United in the second half of last season.
The move means one of Scott Phelan’s most trusted players during Everton’s resurgence will remain at Goodison Park after making 10 appearances following her arrival in January.
Rather than viewing Blundell as another summer addition, Everton have effectively chosen to continue a partnership that had already begun to deliver results. Her performances during the closing months of the campaign convinced the club that she should be part of the next stage of Phelan’s project.
Transfer Snapshot
Player: Hannah Blundell
Age: 32
Position: Defender
From: Manchester United
To: Everton
Transfer Status: Permanent Transfer
A Signing That Already Proved Its Value
By the time Everton entered the summer, they already knew exactly what they would be getting from the experienced full-back.
She quickly settled into the side after arriving on loan and became an important part of the team that climbed to an eighth-place finish. Her consistency in defence helped Everton produce one of their strongest spells of the season, including four consecutive Women’s Super League victories after Phelan took charge.
One of the defining moments of that run came against West Ham, where Blundell provided the assist for Honoka Hayashi’s winning goal at Goodison Park.
Instead of recruiting a defender who would need time to adapt to the squad, Everton have retained someone who already understands the team’s style, expectations and environment.
Why Scott Phelan Wanted Her Back
Hannah Blundell’s decision to return was closely linked to Scott Phelan’s appointment as permanent head coach. Speaking after completing the move, she described staying at Everton as an “easy decision” once Phelan’s position had been confirmed. That relationship reflects the progress made during the second half of last season.
Under Phelan, Everton developed greater consistency and confidence, while Blundell became one of the regular figures in the back line. Keeping players who have already bought into those ideas allows the club to build on that momentum rather than starting again.
Continuity can be just as valuable as new signings during a summer rebuild.
More Than Experience
Blundell arrives with an impressive career that includes four Women’s Super League titles. Those achievements explain why she was able to settle so quickly after joining Everton, but they are not the reason this move has been completed.
Everton have rewarded a player who immediately strengthened the team, contributed in important moments and became part of a defence that looked increasingly settled as the season progressed.
Her goal during the WorldSevens tournament also offered another reminder that she can contribute in attacking areas when opportunities arise.
Building on Last Season’s Foundations
Everton’s recruitment this summer has combined fresh arrivals with familiar faces. Forwards Noémie Mouchon, Hannah Cain and Holly McNamara have added new attacking options, while Zara Kramžar has also joined permanently after making her loan move a permanent one.
Hannah Blundell fits naturally into that approach. Rather than making wholesale changes, Everton are retaining players who have already shown they can contribute while adding new talent around them.
It creates a squad with greater continuity heading into Scott Phelan’s first full season in charge. For Blundell, it also offers the opportunity to continue building the connection she developed with Everton supporters during her loan spell, something she described as one of the highlights of her time at the club.
Why It Matters
Not every successful transfer begins in the summer. For Hannah Blundell, the important work was already done during her loan spell.
Everton have simply turned a partnership that worked into a permanent one, ensuring Scott Phelan keeps a defender who understands his system, knows her teammates and has already shown she can make a positive impact at Goodison Park. Sometimes the smartest signing is the player you already know.
Source: Everton
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