Crystal Palace have continued the rebuild of their attack with the signing of Lexi Lloyd-Smith from Bristol City on a three-year contract. The move arrives less than 24 hours after Palace announced the signing of Bethany England from Tottenham Hotspur. Viewed together, the two deals offer a clearer picture of how Jo Potter wants to shape her forward line ahead of the new season.
England arrives as one of the most accomplished goalscorers in Women’s Super League history. Lloyd-Smith arrives as the top scorer in WSL2. They are very different profiles, but that appears to be exactly the point.
Transfer Snapshot
- Player: Lexi Lloyd-Smith
- Position: Striker
- New Club: Crystal Palace
- Previous Club: Bristol City
- Nationality: England
- Contract: Until June 2029
- Transfer Status: Confirmed
Lloyd-Smith Has Earned Her Opportunity
Lloyd-Smith’s move to Crystal Palace follows the most productive period of her career. After joining Bristol City in 2024, she scored 23 goals in 48 appearances and finished last season as the top scorer in WSL2. Her 11 goals in 21 league matches included a hat-trick against Sheffield United on the final day of the campaign. Those numbers helped establish her as one of the most effective forwards outside the top flight.
The signing also continues a steady progression through the English game. Having developed in the Arsenal and Chelsea academies before beginning her senior career at Charlton Athletic, Lloyd-Smith gained further experience in the United States with the University of South Alabama before returning to England with Southampton.
A Different Profile To Bethany England
The timing of the transfer makes comparisons with Bethany England unavoidable. England brings experience, leadership and one of the strongest goalscoring records in WSL history. Lexi Lloyd-Smith offers something different.
In announcing the signing, Jo Potter highlighted the striker’s speed and finishing ability. Those qualities point towards a forward capable of stretching defensive lines, attacking space behind defenders and creating a different type of threat.
Teams can become predictable when they rely on one attacking profile. By adding Lloyd-Smith alongside England, Palace now have forwards who can influence games in different ways. One has spent more than a decade proving herself at the highest level. The other is entering her prime years after a breakthrough goalscoring campaign.
The Length Of The Contract Matters
Crystal Palace have committed to Lexi Lloyd-Smith until 2029. The contract suggests Palace see more than a player capable of helping them this season. They appear to view her as part of a longer-term project.
At 23, she still has considerable room for development. The combination of age, recent production and international recognition with England Under-23s makes her one of the more interesting attacking prospects moving into the new campaign.
Her involvement with the England U23 side, including appearances during their successful European competition campaign, further underlines how highly she is regarded within the national team pathway.
Why It Matters
After finishing as WSL2’s top scorer, Lexi Lloyd-Smith arrives with momentum, confidence and a contract that reflects the club’s long-term belief in her potential. Signing two strikers within days of each other suggests Palace are building an attack capable of competing now while also planning for the future, adding two forwards at different stages of their careers who can solve different problems.
Source: Crystal Palace
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