Everton have signed Manchester City centre-back Naomi Layzell on loan for the 2026-27 season. The 22-year-old arrives with Women’s Champions League experience, an England U23 place and a WSL winner’s medal. Yet she made only three league appearances last season, explaining why both player and parent club considered a temporary move necessary.
Layzell has already shown that she can deliver on a major occasion. Her year at Everton must now demonstrate that those moments can become consistent senior performances.
Transfer Snapshot
- Player: Naomi Layzell
- Age: 22
- Position: Centre-back
- From: Manchester City
- To: Everton
- Transfer status: Season-long loan
- Loan: Until the end of the 2026-27 season
- Option to buy: Not announced
One Famous Goal, Three League Appearances
Naomi Layzell produced the most recognisable moment of her Manchester City career in the Champions League two seasons ago. The defender opened the scoring as City defeated Barcelona 2-0, contributing to a historic victory over one of Europe’s leading teams.
She was also trusted to play every minute of City’s 3-1 League Cup win against Everton last season. Those performances showed that she could handle demanding matches when selected. The difficulty was earning enough selections.
Layzell appeared only three times in the WSL as Manchester City won the title. Competing inside a championship-winning squad exposed her to high standards, but it did not provide the volume of football needed to establish herself.
Everton now offer a different test. Layzell must move beyond being remembered for one Champions League goal and build a season of defensive work.
Everton Needed Another Centre-Back
The timing of Layzell’s arrival matters. Everton recently lost an ever-present defender following Martina Fernández’s return to Barcelona. Fernández started all 22 WSL matches last season before Barcelona activated their buy-back clause.
Layzell cannot automatically be treated as a direct replacement. Fernández arrived with regular Everton experience, while Layzell is still attempting to prove that she can sustain a starting role.
Everton need to reconstruct part of their defence, and Layzell needs the minutes that were unavailable at Manchester City. If she earns Scott Phelan’s trust, the loan can address both requirements.
She becomes Everton’s seventh summer signing, following Noémie Mouchon, Hannah Cain, Holly McNamara, Jutta Rantala, Zara Kramžar and Hannah Blundell.
Why Everton Suit the Next Stage
Everton technical director Nick Cox described developing young players as an important part of the club’s future.
That matters to Manchester City. Sending Naomi Layzell on loan only makes sense if Everton provide an environment in which she can compete, make mistakes and grow through meaningful matches.
City retain control of the player, while Everton gain a defender with exposure to WSL and Champions League football. No option to buy has been announced, so the current agreement concerns one season rather than a possible permanent transfer.
Everton have already experienced the complication within that model. Fernández developed into a regular starter at the club before Barcelona brought her back.
Layzell could eventually follow a similar route to City. Everton’s immediate concern, however, is what she contributes before returning.
An Athletic Defender Who Wants to Show More
Naomi Layzell describes herself as an athletic and aggressive centre-back who remains composed in possession.
Those qualities help explain her appeal, but Everton will need to see them repeatedly. Defending across a full league season places different demands on a player from entering three WSL matches or performing in an isolated European fixture.
Layzell must develop partnerships within a changing defence, respond after difficult performances and show she can maintain her level from one week to the next. She recognised that need when explaining her decision.
“Hopefully coming here, I will be able to show more of my craft and get an opportunity to show what I can do and the player I am,” Layzell said.
The language is revealing. She is not joining only to collect appearances; she believes regular football can uncover parts of her game that Manchester City supporters have rarely seen.
England Remains a Longer-Term Target
Naomi Layzell’s potential has already been recognised at international level. She was invited to train with England’s senior squad in February 2024 while still at Bristol City. She has since represented the U23s and continues to view a return to the senior environment as one of her objectives.
Layzell acknowledged that she has experienced setbacks since that first call-up. The Everton loan provides a chance to rebuild momentum through club football.
England consideration will depend on what she does each week, not what she achieved in a training camp or one Champions League night.
Layzell has already produced the highlight that introduced her to a wider audience. Everton must now give her the environment—and Layzell must produce the performances, that turn a promising reputation into a complete season.
Source: Everton
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