Everton have agreed to turn Claire Emslie’s loan deal from National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) club Orlando Pride into a permanent move according to reports on The Blue Girls’ official website.
The 26-year-old Edinburgh-born attacker joined Willie Kirk’s side on loan in August and she has impressed the club enough to earn herself an extended stay at Walton Hall Park.
It has today been confirmed that Everton have completed the signing of Emslie on a permanent deal which will initially run until summer 2022. The Scot is expected to make her comeback from a recent injury in the early weeks of 2021.
Emslie has made eight appearances for The Blue Girls to date while she has scored two goals, both of which came in the 6-0 victory at newly-promoted side Aston Villa in early October. The forward has played an instrumental role in Everton’s early season free-flowing attacking football and her presence has been severely missed since she picked up her injury in mid-November.
The permanent signing of Emslie could signal the start of a busy transfer window for Everton manager Kirk who will undoubtedly be looking to make further additions to his ever-evolving side. A quartet of injuries sustained ahead of the Christmas period highlighted the club’s need for a little more squad depth and that is certainly something which The Blue Girls boss will be looking to add in the upcoming transfer windows as his side aim to challenge for top honours.