Emma Watson will spend the 2025/26 season on loan with Crystal Palace. The Manchester United midfielder, who joined the club in 2023, suffered an ACL injury shortly after signing. She made her return in the 2024/25 season against Everton, marking her debut for the Reds. In the second half of that campaign, she was loaned out to Everton and will now continue her development with WSL 2 side Crystal Palace.
Before joining United, Watson made her senior debut for Rangers FC at the age of 15 and signed her first professional contract in 2022. She gained valuable experience there, including appearances in the Women’s Champions League, where she notably scored against Benfica. In the 2022/23 season, she was named Scotland Women’s Young Player of the Season.
On the international stage, Watson made her senior debut for Scotland in April 2023, scoring twice against Costa Rica just four days later.
Words from Jo Potter and Emma Watson
Manager Jo Potter said: “Emma is a fantastic young talent who has already gained valuable experience at both club and international level. We look forward to helping her continue her progression with us this season.”
Speaking on her move to Palace, Watson said: “I’m really looking forward to the season ahead, meeting all the girls and working with Jo.
“I’m really excited to be here and I’m proud to be a Palace player.”
More Manchester United Women’s Transfer News
Manchester United have also extended the contract of 20-year-old goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel until June 2028. She made her first-team debut for the club in December 2024 against Newcastle United in the League Cup.
Middleton-Patel has already earned five senior caps for Wales, after progressing through the youth ranks. She previously played for Blackburn Rovers, Leicester City, Coventry United, and Watford.
Words from Middleton-Patel: “I am so happy to be continuing my journey with Manchester United and excited about what’s to come in the next three years.
“It was a dream to make my Manchester United debut last year and my ambition is to gradually compete for more minutes while also learning from and supporting the other excellent goalkeepers we have at the club.”
Source: Crystal Palace
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