Leicester City have completed the permanent signing of centre-forward Poppy Pritchard from Manchester City as part of a triple addition to their 2026/27 squad.
The 20-year-old has signed a three-year contract at King Power Stadium following a season divided between Durham and Celtic. Leicester have also recruited Finland international Paulina Nyström from BK Häcken for an undisclosed fee and signed former Brighton midfielder Libby Bance on a free transfer.
The three arrivals strengthen Leicester’s attacking and midfield options as the club prepare for the new WSL 2 campaign.
Poppy Pritchard Transfer Snapshot
- Player: Poppy Pritchard
- Age: 20
- Position: Centre-forward
- From: Manchester City
- To: Leicester City
- Transfer type: Permanent
- Contract: Three years
- Fee: Not disclosed
- Previous loan club: Celtic
- International level: England youth international
- Status: Subject to league approval
Pritchard Finally Gets a Permanent Home
Pritchard’s career since joining Manchester City in January 2024 has been built around gaining experience elsewhere.
Developmental loans with Crystal Palace and Newcastle United followed her move from Durham. She then returned to Durham for the first half of the 2025/26 season, making 15 appearances in five months, before joining Celtic and playing another 14 times.
Those spells gave Pritchard experience across different teams and competitions, but they did not provide the stability of belonging to a senior project beyond one temporary agreement.
A three-year contract gives the striker time to establish herself rather than spending another season attempting to make an immediate impression before returning to her parent club.
“I am super excited to sign for the club,” Pritchard said. “The club has high aspirations, and I want to be part of a team that wants to win games and do well for the supporters.”
Why Leicester Are Investing in Pritchard
Poppy Pritchard made her senior Durham debut at 17 and accumulated 21 WSL 2 appearances before Manchester City signed her.
The move to City recognised her potential, but competition for first-team minutes meant her development needed to continue through loans. She now returns to WSL 2 as a more experienced player than the teenager who initially left Durham.
Leicester are betting that those different experiences can be brought together inside one role.
Pritchard is still only 20, giving the club room to develop her across the length of the contract. Yet this cannot be treated solely as a future-focused signing. Her senior appearances mean she should be capable of competing for minutes immediately.
The opportunity is significant for the player as well. At Manchester City, her pathway depended on breaking into an elite WSL attack. At Leicester, she can work towards becoming one of the forwards around whom the team is built.
The move changes the question surrounding her career. Pritchard no longer needs to prove she deserves another loan; she must show she can turn continuity into goals and influence.
Nyström Brings a Different Type of Forward
Paulina Nyström adds greater experience and physical power to Leicester’s attacking group. The 25-year-old Finland international has signed a two-year contract after leaving BK Häcken, with Leicester paying an undisclosed fee.
Nyström described power as one of the defining qualities of her game. That profile gives Leicester a useful contrast alongside the younger Pritchard, rather than two forwards competing through identical strengths.
Her career has already included football in Sweden and Italy. Nyström recorded ten goals and two assists in 26 league appearances for Eskilstuna United before joining Juventus for the 2023/24 season.
She made 23 appearances across all competitions for the Italian club and later returned to Sweden with Häcken. Last season ended with European silverware as Häcken beat Hammarby 4-2 to win the Women’s Europa Cup.
Paulina Nyström Transfer Snapshot
- Player: Paulina Nyström
- Age: 25
- Position: Forward
- From: BK Häcken
- To: Leicester City
- Transfer type: Permanent
- Fee: Undisclosed
- Contract: Two years
- International team: Finland
- Status: Subject to league and international clearance
Nyström arrives with experience of different tactical environments and the pressure of competing for trophies. Pritchard provides longer-term development potential; Nyström should be equipped to contribute experience from the beginning.
“I play with a lot of power, and I will try to bring that as much as possible,” Nyström said. “I have a lot of experience and want to perform well to help the team.”
Bance Adds WSL 2 Knowledge to Midfield
Libby Bance completes the group after leaving Brighton at the end of a seven-year association with the club. The 23-year-old midfielder has signed a one-year contract on a free transfer.
Bance progressed through Brighton’s academy and made 44 senior appearances before gaining further experience during loans with Rangers, Bristol City and Birmingham City.
Her spell in Scotland produced four goals in 20 appearances for Rangers. Loans with Bristol and Birmingham then brought 18 appearances across the following two WSL 2 seasons.
That recent experience means Bance already understands the league Leicester are preparing to enter. Her challenge is to turn a series of temporary roles into a lasting position of her own.
The shorter contract creates a different dynamic from Pritchard’s three-year agreement or Nyström’s two-year deal. Bance has one season to demonstrate that she can become an important part of Leicester’s midfield beyond the immediate campaign.
Libby Bance Transfer Snapshot
- Player: Libby Bance
- Age: 23
- Position: Midfielder
- From: Brighton & Hove Albion
- To: Leicester City
- Transfer type: Free transfer
- Contract: One year
- Brighton appearances: 44
- Recent loan clubs: Rangers, Bristol City and Birmingham City
- Status: Subject to clearances
What the Three Signings Give Leicester
Leicester have added two forwards at different stages of their careers and a midfielder already familiar with WSL 2. Poppy Pritchard is the long-term investment. Her contract gives Leicester the chance to oversee the next stage of a career previously managed through repeated loans.
Nyström brings senior international, Serie A and European experience. Her physical profile should broaden the ways Leicester can construct their attack.
Bance offers league knowledge and another midfield option without requiring a transfer fee, although her one-year contract leaves less time to establish herself.
The common requirement is opportunity. Pritchard and Bance have spent recent seasons moving between temporary assignments, while Nyström has changed leagues and countries in search of the right role.
Leicester can provide the continuity. Whether these additions strengthen a genuine challenge near the top of WSL 2 will depend on what each player does with it.
Source: Leicester City
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