Everton announce the signing of young Lioness, Ruby Mace from Leicester City

Ruby Mace’s move to Everton in September 2025 is one of the most eye-catching signings of the Women’s Super League season and a deal that represents a new chapter both for the player and the club.

📸 via www.evertonfc.com

At just 21 years old, Mace already carries a wealth of experience, having played for Arsenal, Birmingham City, Manchester City, and Leicester, while also breaking into the England senior team. Everton’s decision to make her their ninth signing of the summer, for what is reported to be a club-record fee, underlines their growing ambition in the women’s game. This is not just a routine acquisition—it is a statement.

Mace’s footballing story began at Arsenal, where she joined the academy aged seven. Her time with the Gunners’ youth system shaped her technically and mentally, instilling in her the versatility and composure that she is known for today. She climbed through England’s youth age groups with equal success, captaining the under-15s before progressing to the U17s, U19s, and later the U23s, establishing herself as one of the brightest talents in the national setup. Her education at Arsenal came to fruition when she made her senior debut in 2020, stepping onto the pitch for a club that had nurtured her from childhood.

Seeking more minutes, Mace experienced a pivotal spell at Birmingham City in early 2021 under a dual registration agreement. It was there that she showed her resilience and maturity, playing in 11 league matches and scoring twice. In a Birmingham side fighting against the odds, Mace’s calmness on the ball and adaptability to play either as a defensive midfielder or centre-back stood out. Those performances turned heads, and in June 2021 she earned a high-profile move to Manchester City, signing her first professional contract at just 17.

At City, Mace was surrounded by some of the biggest names in the women’s game, which provided her with an invaluable education. She made her debut in the League Cup against Everton in October 2021 and was part of the squad that lifted the FA Women’s League Cup later that season. Although opportunities were limited in such a competitive squad, Mace continued to refine her game in training and earned recognition as one of England’s most promising young footballers. A loan move to Leicester City in January 2023 became a turning point, as she stepped into a team fighting relegation and played a crucial role in stabilising the club’s WSL status.

That Leicester spell evolved into a permanent transfer in the summer of 2024, when she signed a two-year deal despite significant interest from other clubs, including Atlético Madrid and Chelsea. It was a decision that spoke volumes about her character and desire to prioritise development over glamour. At Leicester, she thrived in a central midfield role, adding structure, bite, and intelligence to their game. Her consistency was rewarded in November 2024 when she received her first senior England call-up, becoming the first Leicester City Women’s player to achieve that honour. Making her debut against Switzerland, she earned legacy number 232 and was praised for her composure and confidence, demanding the ball in midfield and looking like she belonged on the international stage.

Now Everton have secured her signature, and it feels like a natural progression for both parties. The Toffees, who have heavily invested in their women’s squad, see Mace as a cornerstone for their future. Handed the number 30 shirt and tied down on a three-year contract, she is expected to slot straight into the heart of the team. Her ability to play in multiple roles—either sitting deep to shield the defence, orchestrating play in midfield, or stepping back into central defence—gives manager Brian Sørensen a flexible and reliable option as Everton look to push into the WSL’s upper half.

This transfer is about more than just tactics, though—it is about vision. Everton have shown intent all summer, and by breaking their transfer record to secure Mace, they are sending a message to rivals that they are serious about climbing the ladder. The timing is also significant: with Goodison Park set to become the new home of Everton Women, the club is creating a sense of identity and permanence. Mace, who spoke about how much that backing from the owners means to the players, seems to recognise that she is joining a project with real momentum.

For Ruby herself, this move offers the perfect balance of stability and challenge. At Leicester, she proved she could handle responsibility; at Everton, she now has the platform to step up another level, pushing for regular England involvement and cementing her reputation as one of the league’s most intelligent young midfielders. She has already described Everton as a club where “everyone is just backing everyone,” and her words suggest she feels at home in an environment built on unity and ambition.

Everton fans will be excited not only by what she brings on the pitch—her technical skill, composure, and ability to read the game—but also by her mentality. At just 21, she has already demonstrated resilience in moving clubs, dealing with the pressure of expectation, and performing on the international stage. Her signing is not just about filling a position—it is about investing in leadership potential, long-term quality, and the kind of player who can shape the future of the squad.

In the bigger picture, Ruby Mace’s transfer is emblematic of the WSL’s rapid growth. Just a few years ago, a 21-year-old England international moving clubs for a record fee would have been unthinkable outside the top two or three sides. Now Everton are demonstrating that ambition runs far deeper in the league, and that players like Mace can become symbols of progress for ambitious clubs. For Mace, the move is another step forward in a career that has already had its share of milestones. For Everton, it is a bold signal of intent that could define their next era.