WSL star Ashleigh Plumptre joins Al Ittihad as Saudi Women's Pro League pulls off biggest signing yet

Ashleigh Plumptre has become one of the most high-profile players to join the Women's Saudi Pro League after signing for Al Ittihad.

PIF-backed Al Ittihad have made serious moves for their men's team, signing Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante while attempting to sign Liverpool star Mohamed Salah.

And they have continued their ambitious recruitment, but this time for their women's side.

The club have snapped up Plumptre from Women's Super League outfit Leicester City. She's been recruited by ex-US international Kelly Lindsey, who now manages Al Ittihad.

Lindsey's assistant, Myles Smith, spent six years working at West Ham Women's team and nine months as a scout for Manchester United Women.

Dan Smith, who's the club's goalkeeping coach, joined from Bristol City.

On joining Al Ittihad, the 25-year-old wrote on X: "Grateful to have signed for Al-Ittihad. Excited to start this journey alongside some incredible human beings.

"My journey of stepping into more of myself continues... It’s more than football."

Ashleigh Plumptre in action for Nigeria. Image: Getty

Plumptre starred at the Women's World Cup, with Nigeria missing out on a place in the quarter-finals, losing to the England's Lionesses on penalties.

The defender represented England at under-15, under-17, under-19 and under-23 levels before choosing to represent Nigeria at senior level, where she qualifies through her paternal grandfather.

Fellow Nigerian Rita Chikwel, Venezuela's Oriana Altuveand and Sweden's Nor Mustafa have also joined Plumptre in moving to the Women's Saudi League for its second season.

Will we see more stars of the women's game heading to Saudi Arabia? Watch this space.