Burnley Women have completed the signing of former Manchester United winger Leah Galton on a one-year contract, with the Clarets holding an option to extend the deal for a further 12 months.
The 32-year-old joins Burnley as a free agent after leaving Manchester United at the end of the 2025/26 season. Galton spent eight years with United and departed as the club’s second-highest goalscorer, having been part of their inaugural women’s squad in 2018.
She now drops into the second tier with Jackie Bachteler’s Burnley, although Galton has confirmed she still needs some time to build her fitness before being fully ready to play.
Transfer snapshot
Player: Leah Galton
To: Burnley Women
Previous club: Manchester United
Position: Winger
Age: 32
Transfer: Free agent
Contract: One year
Option: Additional 12 months
Squad number: 44
Galton begins new chapter with Burnley
Galton’s move brings an end to a long association with Manchester United. She joined United ahead of their first season in 2018 and helped the club win promotion to the Women’s Super League in her debut campaign.
Galton went on to make 111 WSL appearances, scoring 35 goals. Burnley also credit her with a further nine goals in cup competitions. One of the biggest achievements of her United career came in 2023/24, when she helped the club win the Women’s FA Cup. She later represented United in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
After leaving at the end of last season, Galton was without a club during pre-season before Burnley offered her the opportunity to continue her career.
“I wasn’t too sure what was going to happen, but Burnley have come in for me and I absolutely said yes, so I’m excited to get started,” Galton said.
Galton working towards Burnley debut
Burnley could benefit considerably from Galton’s experience as they compete in the second tier, but supporters may have to wait before seeing her at full fitness.
The winger said she worked to maintain her fitness while without a club but acknowledged that she still has some work to do before being completely ready for competitive football.
“I’ve done as much as I could to keep fit during pre-season, and I’ve got a little bit of work to do before I’m fully ready to be back on the pitch.”
Galton could nevertheless make her Burnley debut as early as Friday night’s away match against Wolverhampton Wanderers. She will wear the number 44 shirt.
Experienced addition to Burnley’s attack
Galton brings extensive top-flight experience to Jackie Bachteler’s squad. After developing in Leeds United’s academy, she moved to the United States in 2012 to play college football with Hofstra Pride. Her career later included spells with Sky Blue FC in the NWSL and Bayern Munich before she returned to England with Manchester United.
The move to Burnley also takes Galton back to the second tier for the first time since United’s promotion-winning 2018/19 campaign.
Burnley will hope her WSL experience and goalscoring record can make an immediate difference as the Clarets look to compete near the top of the division.
Source: Burnley
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