Leicester City Women have completed the signing of forward Poppy Pritchard from Manchester City as they rebuild for the Women's Super League 2 season. The club officially unveiled the new arrival at King Power Stadium on August 17, 2026, in a move reported by herfootballhub.com. This signing comes after a summer of significant upheaval that saw 14 first-team players depart following the team's relegation from the top tier last season.
Pritchard's arrival marks a fresh start for a squad undergoing major transition. Manager Rick Passmoor now has a new attacking option as he prepares his side for their opening WSL 2 fixture against Sheffield United at King Power Stadium this Saturday, September 6th, with a 14:00 kick-off. The club's full fixtures for the campaign are now available. Key departures this summer included influential forwards Jutta Rantala and Noemie Mouchon, signalling the end of the Amandine Miguel era at the club.
Who is new signing Poppy Pritchard?
Poppy Pritchard joins Leicester City Women after developing within the Manchester City academy system. The forward was presented to fans and media in a photoshoot at King Power Stadium, with images provided by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images. Her addition addresses a clear need for fresh attacking talent following the exodus of experienced players. Pritchard will be looking to make an immediate impact in a new-look forward line. You can view the updated squad list featuring all new arrivals.
How has the squad changed this summer?
The scale of change at Leicester City Women this summer has been substantial. Fourteen members of the first-team squad that competed in the WSL last season have now left the club. This represents a major overhaul as the team adjusts to a new division and a changed competitive landscape. The departures of Rantala and Mouchon, in particular, remove a significant portion of the team's previous goal threat. Manager Rick Passmoor has acknowledged the challenge, stating that "they’ll be expecting a quick return to the top tier."
What is the context around the club's ownership?
This period of sporting transition occurs against a backdrop of potential change at the ownership level. The current owners of Leicester City Women are actively looking to sell the club. This adds another layer of uncertainty as the team start a important season in the second tier. Some supporters have expressed a preference for a period of stability on the pitch before further changes off it. As one fan viewpoint shared with herfootballhub.com noted, "fans would probably prefer a season to stabilise and see what the future holds."
What are the immediate challenges for Rick Passmoor?
Manager Rick Passmoor faces the dual task of integrating new signings like Pritchard while forging a cohesive unit from a heavily altered squad. His immediate focus is the season opener at home to Sheffield United. Success this season will be measured by the club's ability to compete at the top of WSL 2 and mount a promotion challenge. The current standings will show their progress as the season develops. Passmoor's experience will be vital in managing expectations during this rebuild.
Leicester City Women begin their WSL 2 campaign at home to Sheffield United on Saturday, September 6th.
