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      Leicester City duo Ashleigh Plumptre and Charlie Devlin sign contract extensions as club look to retain WSL status

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      LEICESTER CITY have retained the services of duo Ashleigh Plumptre and Charlie Devlin who both signed contract extensions at the club.The Foxes tied down the pair for the next few years as they look to secure their place in the WSL.
      Plumptre said she’s thrilled to be at her home-town club for another two yearsCredit: Getty
      Devlin revealed she’s happy to remain with the FoxesCredit: Getty
      And both players were delighted to help Jonathan Morgan’s side in their effort to do so.
      Life-long Foxes fan Plumptre joined the club last season from US side LA Galaxy and revealed she’s grateful to remain with her home-town club.
      She beamed on Instagram: “So grateful to be spending another two years at this special club. Home is where the heart is.”
      The defender previously played in the WSL with former top-tier side Notts County in 2014.
      She then joined US college side USC Trojans in 2016 and then moved to Galaxy in 2019.
      Plumptre returned to Leicester the following year, helping them win the Championship trophy.
      And Devlin, who also joined the Foxes last season, said she was happy to sign her new deal.

      She said: “Happy to sign a new contract with this amazing club.”
      The 23-year-old was playing part-time football before Morgan came in a swooped her from Charlton Athletic.
      She scored three goals for the Foxes last term and will be eager to increase her tally for the club next season.
      And Morgan will be able to draw upon her knowledge of the WSL which Devlin played in for Arsenal in 2016 to 2017.
      Devlin was also part of Casey Stoney’s Manchester United team in 2018 that won the Championship in their inaugural season.
      Her current club Leicester achieved promotion to the big league in style when they picked up their Championship crown at the King Power Stadium in the last game of the season.
      The Foxes already showed they’re capable of competing with the league’s big-shots following their 3-2 win against United in the FA Cup.
      And the club’s managing duo Emile Heskey and Morgan reckon their team have the ability to cause problems for the WSL’s top sides throughout next term.
      Morgan and Heskey reckon their Foxes team will scare the WSL big-guns next seasonCredit: Getty
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      Man Utd owner Joel Glazer commits to growth of women’s team after Casey Stoney quit over ‘poor facilities’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED owner Joel Glazer has insisted he is committed to the growth and development of the club’s women team.The 50-year-old businessman addressed the concerns of United Women fan group Barmy Army.
      Glazer claims he’s committed to the growth of United’s women teamCredit: AP
      The Army had voiced their worries to United’s board following reports that poor conditions at Leigh Sports Village was the reason behind ex-boss Casey Stoney’s exit last season.
      They wanted reassurances that things will be done to help United Women reach their goals and said they were open to working with the board.
      And Glazer, to their surprise, met with them to do just that.
      He said: “As you all know, we have also been focused on growing and developing our women’s team in line with the traditions and values of the club, and we are committed to continuing that process.”
      Alongside Glazer, several other big-shots at the club, including Football Director John Murtough outlined their plan for the currently manager-less women’s team.
      The focal point in the plan is to improve the training facilities for the women.
      Stoney’s former side moved to the Aon Training Complex last season due to difficulties created by the Covid pandemic.
      He revealed he wants the men and women team to share the same training facilities in futureCredit: Mark Pain / Premium Sport

      The club say they will add a number of improvements to the complex this summer.
      And they also reveal they’re working towards fully integrating United’s training complex so that the men, women and academy all use the same facilities.
      This is line with Glazer’s vision to ensure United’s facilities are among the “best in Europe.”
      United’s statement read: “The pandemic created challenges over the last year across football and across the club in terms of mandatory protocols around training and games.
      “A combination of these factors, together with the impact of adverse winter weather conditions on the pitches, affected the usual training locations and schedules for the Women’s team at Leigh Sports Village.
      “As a result, after considering options, the team relocated to the Aon Training Complex.
      “This required flexibility across the club in terms of use of facilities and COVID-19 protocols.
      “Going forward, the club will introduce a package of improvements for the Women’s team facilities at the Aon Training Complex, starting over this summer.
      “Longer term, Joel Glazer recently referenced that the club will significantly increase investment in Old Trafford and our training complex to ensure that the facilities remain among the best in Europe.
      “The long-term intention is for a fully integrated approach to the training ground with the Women’s team, Men’s team and Academy at one site.”

      Stoney took the club from the Championship when they were re-formed in 2018 and turned them into WSL title contenders.
      She led them to fourth place in the WSL last term just a point behind Arsenal and Champions League qualification.
      Reports suggest that several National Women’s Soccer League are interested in bringing her to the USA.
      She has also been linked to the Wrexham job which she received vile abuse from online trolls for.
      The fan group were concerned after reports suggested Stoney quit due to poor conditions at the clubCredit: PA
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      Vicky Losada bids emotional farewell to Barcelona after treble win amid rumours of Man City links

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      BARCELONA skipper Vicky Losada tearfully called time on her career with the LaLiga Women’s champs ending weeks of exit rumours. The midfielder who has been linked with a Manchester City move was speaking days after she reportedly claimed to have not had the confidence of coach Lluis Cortes.
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      Losada has been linked with a summer switch to Manchester CityCredit: Getty
      Vicky Losada has announced her departure from BarcelonaCredit: Rex
      At a club press conference to announce her departure an emotional Losada said: “This will be my last season at the club.
      “You have to know when a cycle has come to an end. 
      “Everything that I have experienced as a Barca player has made me the happiest person in the world.”
      The former Arsenal ace, 30, led Barcelona through one of their most successful trophy-winning seasons last term. 

      The club lost just once in Spain’s top division on their way to their sixth LaLiga Women’s title and their eighth Copa de la Reina. 
      And the Catalan giants made history this season winning their first-ever Champions League title after beating WSL titans Chelsea 4-0. 
      Losada came on as a second-half substitute in the 71st minute in that game. 
      The midfielder, who made 28 appearances for Barcelona last term, made her Barca first-team debut at the age of 16
      And the player went on to win 23 trophies with the club including six LaLiga titles and seven Copa de la Reinas.
      The Spain ace enjoyed four separate spells with the Catalan giants – spanning 13 years – with one-season stints at Espanyol, Western New York Flash and Arsenal in 2007, 2014 and 2015.
      In a frank and revealing FourFourTwo interview Losada dropped hints that her time with the Blaugranes was coming to an end. 
      And the midfielder suggested she had more years to give to the game as a player. 
      Losada helped Barcelona to a domestic treble trophy win in the 2020-21 seasonCredit: Getty

      Losada told FourFourTwo: “This year has been hard for me and I have not felt valued nor have I had the confidence of the coach. 
      I’m in very good shape, I feel like I can still play for many years and I want to be happy playing football. 
      “I’m studying my situation and my future, but I’m not going to lie to you, maybe it’s time to think about myself, my happiness and that of the people who love me.
      The former WSL star’s reported admission comes amid speculation that City are leading the race to sign her.
      The Barcelona-born player is said to be in advanced talks with Gareth Taylor’s side, according to Catalunya Radio host Marta Carreras.
      On her radio show, Carreras said: “The captain (Losada) will leave for the English club if nothing goes wrong. The operation is very advanced”
      “It will be made official in the coming days, probably this week.”
      The ex-Gunners ace has positive memories of her Women’s Super League experience.
      In an interview with The Times, she spoke on her appreciation of Arsenal and how much she missed playing in the WSL.
      Losada said: “I love the environment, the competitiveness . . . I just love the [English] game and I miss that.
      Losada has pleasant memories of her one season spell playing in the WSLCredit: Getty
      “Here [at Barcelona] it is a different kind of game. I connected very well with the girls at Arsenal.
      “I didn’t want to leave. I left because in my heart I had to come back home.
      “But I’m actually missing the WSL, it is the best league in the world right now.”
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      Troy Deeney hails Watford Women after club wins bid to play in game’s second tier

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      WATFORD will play in the Women’s Championship after being given the green light to play in the second tier in 2021-22. Hornets skipper Troy Deeney applauded the Golden Girls who were promoted along with Sunderland after a successful application. 
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      Watford will compete in the Women’s Championship in the 2021-22 seasonCredit: Getty
      Hornets skipper Troy Deeney congratulated the Golden Girls following their move up to the women’s game’s second tierCredit: Getty
      Watford and the Lady Black Cats have made the step up to the Championship from the National League North and National League South.
      Both leagues make up the third tier of women’s football in England.  
      Watford were top of their division in January when their season was cut short due to the Covid-19 pandemic, hen football below the women’s top two flights was curtailed. 
      The double promotion means the sport’s second flight will be made up of 12 teams rather than 11 next term.
      And the Golden Girls’ move up has prompted ecstatic reactions from the club’s fans, players and staff. 
      This includes a comical tweet shared by head coach Clint Lancaster – who received the news during at the ALTAR. 
      Deeney, Ryah Vyse and Renee Hector among the other Watford aces who took to social media to express their delight 
      In a post to his 162,000 Twitter followers, Deeney, 32, wrote: “Love it, ladies. Congratulations.”
      Today’s Events:✅ Got Married.✅ Achieved Championship Status.Imagine the scene – standing at the altar and receiving a call to say we’ve gone up😂What. A. Day.Thank you to everyone for the lovely messages today!🐝🍾— Clint Lancaster (@ClintLancaster_) June 2, 2021

      So happy that after 2 years of hard work both on and off the pitch, we have been promoted 🤩🥳Thank you to all my team mates, coaches, fans and background staff for all the support these past 2 seasons! Covid hasn’t stopped us! 🙌🏼🥰 https://t.co/ePX9jAV2ve— Ryah Vyse (@RyahVyse) June 2, 2021

      Golden Girls defender Vyse, 28, tweeted: “So happy that after two years of hard work on and off the pitch, we have been promoted. 
      “Thank you to all my team-mates, coaches, fans and background staff for all the support these past two seasons! Covid hasn’t stopped us!”
      And Hector, who is getting back to fitness following surgery on an ACL injury posted: “Championship… we meet again. Amazing achievement by all at the club. Let’s do this!”
      Clubs competing in tiers three to six of the women’s game were given the go-ahead to apply for promotion by the FA after Covid ended their seasons.
      Watford Women were top of the National Women’s League South division when their season was curtailed by Covid-19Credit: Getty

      Criteria assessed in applications included points per game achieved by teams, goal difference over the past two seasons, 
      The structure of clubs, their workforce and the facilities were also considered by football authorities. 
      Watford Women had been on course for promotion to the Championship in the 2019-20 season when that term was declared null and void in March 2020 due to the pandemic.
      Watford will be joined by Sunderland Ladies following their successful bid to compete in the ChampionshipCredit: Getty
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      Barcelona’s Vicky Losada rumoured to be joining Manchester City a month after Champions League defeat of Chelsea

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      VICKY LOSADA is reportedly heading for Barcelona’s exit amid speculation of a summer switch to Women’s Super League giants Manchester City.The Barca skipper is thought to be in advanced talks with City, according to Cataluyna Radio host Marta Carreras.
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      Barcelona midfielder Vicky Losada is reportedly to joining Manchester CityCredit: Rex
      Losada spent one season at Arsenal from 2015 to 2016Credit: Chelsea FC
      And Carreras claims that subject to any last-minute hurdles, the 30-year-old could join Gareth Taylor’s team this month.
      On her radio show, Carreras said: “The captain (Losada) will leave for the English club if nothing goes wrong. The operation is very advanced”
      “It will be made official in the coming days, probably this week.”

      Should a switch happen it would see Losada embark on a second spell in the WSL following a one-season stint at rivals Arsenal.
      And the Spain ace would be a welcome addition to City’s ranks following the loss of trio Sam Mewis, Rose Lavelle and Megan Campbell.
      Mewis and Lavelle returned to the United States top flight in May while Campbell is departed for a new adventure following her injury battles last season.
      A City move would see Barcelona native Losada bring her trophy-winning credentials to the club after a treble-winning season with the Spanish giants.
      Losada could be the missing piece of Taylor’s puzzle with his Academy Stadium side seeking to wrestle the league crown from champions Chelsea.
      The Spain international is currently part of a Barca team that won the LaLiga Women’s title, a Champions League trophy and a Copa de la Reina this year.
      This put Barca in the history books as the first club in Spain to have men’s and women’s teams achieving a hat-trick of trophy wins in a season.
      In comparison City were narrowly beaten to the WSL title by Chelsea.
      And they reached the quarter-final of the Champions League but were knocked out by Losada and her Barca colleagues.
      Losada was part of the Barcelona team that trounced Chelsea in the Champions League finalCredit: Getty

      Losada began her career in Barcelona’s La Masia at 13 in 2004 before making her first-team debut in 2006.
      The LaLiga Women’s star had three separate spells at the club with one season stints at Arsenal and American club Western New York Flash in 2014 and 2015.
      And the Spain player knows what it takes to beat Emma Hayes’ side after Barca crushed them 4-0 in the Champions League final.
      During her time with the Gunners from 2015 to 2016, Losada won the FA and League Cups before returning to Barca in 2016.
      In an interview with The Times in May Losada spoke fondly of her year in the WSL and how she missed the rivalry in the league.
      The midfield ace said: “I love the environment, the competitiveness . . . I just love the [English] game and I miss that.
      Losada won the LaLiga Women’s title and the Copa de la Reina in addition to the Champions League with BarcelonaCredit: Getty
      “Here [at Barcelona] it is a different kind of game. I connected very well with the girls at Arsenal.
      “I didn’t want to leave. I left because in my heart I had to come back home.
      “But I’m actually missing the WSL, it is the best league in the world right now.”
      Losada won the Women’s FA Cup and a league cup with Arsenal in 2016Credit: Getty
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      Casey Stoney lashes out at online trolls after facing abuse over links to vacant Wrexham manager role

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      CASEY STONEY has slammed online bullies for sending her abusive messages after speculation linking her to a role at National League outfit Wrexham. The former Manchester United boss took to Twitter to address the horrific slurs directed at her.
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      Stoney slammed online trolls who abused her over rumours linking her to the manager’s role at men’s team WrexhamCredit: Getty
      Stoney, who has more than 100 England caps, revealed she received the abuse whilst spending time with her family.
      The 39-year-old, who left the Red Devils in May, sarcastically called the virtual yobs “lovely people” and told them to not take things so seriously.
      In a bid to make the perpetrators indulge in some self-reflection she told those who have mothers and daughters they should be embarrassed by their behaviour.
      She wrote: “For the lovely people on here that are abusing me for even being linked with a job in the men’s game please do yourself a favour & lower your blood pressure.
      “I am happily spending time with my family thank you.
      “If you have a daughter, sister, wife or mother you should be ashamed.”
      For the lovely people on here that are abusing me for even being linked with a job in the men’s game please do yourself a favour & lower your blood pressure. I am happily spending time with my family thank you ❤️if you have a daughter, sister, wife or mother you should be ashamed— Casey Stoney MBE 💙 (@CaseyStoney) June 1, 2021

      Her classy response received overwhelming support from individuals using Twitter who also slammed the bullies.
      Stoney took up her role at Man United in July 2018, leading the club to promotion from the Women’s Championship to the WSL and two fourth-place finishes in the top-tier.
      And the former England defender has gained a reputation for calling out racist and homophobic abuse online and urging tech giants to tackle bigoted trolling.
      In April Stoney criticised Facebook chief Mark Zuckerburg for failing to take action against trolls
      Her comments followed Man United striker Lauren James revealing she had been on the receiving end racist abuse sent to her via Instagram.
      Speculation linking Stoney with men’s club Wrexham arose following the dismissal of Dean Keates from his role as manager after two years at the helm.
      The former Walsall gaffer was sacked by the club’s highly ambitious Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney after failing to reach the National League play-offs.
      The former Red Dragons midfielder took charge of the club for a second spell in 2019 after spending the 2018-19 season at Walsall following his first period at Wrexham.
      The Welsh side missed out on a spot in the play-offs after a disappointing draw with mid-table Dagenham and Redbridge on Saturday.
      Wrexham had their fate in their own hands heading into the final day of the season but a 1-1 stalemate allowed Bromley to clinch seventh spot by one point.
      Stoney, who took charge of Man United for the final time during their 3-2 FA Cup fifth round loss to Leicester, has been linked with a move to America.
      Stoney spoke out against racist online abuse aimed at Man United starlet Lauren JamesCredit: PA

      In May it was reported the former Leigh Park Village boss was in talks to join an NWSL expansion team in San Diego.
      Last season Stoney led United in closely fought battle with Arsenal for a place in next season’s Champions League.
      But her club was narrowly pipped to a third-place spot which would have seen them qualify for Europe, with the Gunners finishing one point ahead of them in the WSL
      Stoney stood down from her role as Man United women’s boss after taking charge of the club in 2018Credit: Getty
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      Barcelona star Oshoala linked with Manchester United move and WSL return after Arsenal spell

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      ASISAT OSHOALA could be set for a stunning return to the WSL with Manchester United reportedly keen on the striker.Mundo Deportivo claims the Red Devils have made an offer for the forward who helped Barcelona win their sixth LaLiga Women’s title. 
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      Asisat Oshoala has been heavily linked with a summer move to Man UnitedCredit: Getty
      Nigeria striker Oshoala has netted 16 goals in 22 appearances for Barcelona this termCredit: Getty
      Should a summer switch come to fruition it would see the Nigeria ace competing in the top tier of the women’s game in England four years on from leaving Arsenal in 2017.  
      Oshoala, 26, has enjoyed a trophy-laden season with Barcelona who won their first-ever Women’s Champions League crown after trouncing Chelsea 4-0. 
      The forward netted 16 goals in 22 appearances for the side who have lost just one of their 29 top flight games this term. 
      And the former Gunners star scored four times in nine appearances in Europe helping Barca become the dominant force in the women’s game on the Continent this term. 
      United, who are on the hunt for a new gaffer following Casey Stoney’s surprise departure, have been heavily linked with a swoop for Oshoala.
      And the club could be looking to strengthen their attacking options amid reports of a possible Leicester City swoop for Jess Sigsworth.
      In April news reports in Spain claimed Oshoala, who has a year left on her Barcelona contract, is considering a summer exit.  
      Oshoala and Barcelona are due to play Real Madrid nextCredit: Rex
      And Mundo Deportivo say the LaLiga champs are willing to consider offers for the Nigeria star who was named the Best African Woman Player of the Decade by the International Federation of Football History. 
      Oshoala, who will play Real Madrid with her team-mates next, enjoyed a two-year stint in England’s top flight before a switch to China and then Spain. 
      The striker became the first African female footballer to play in the Women’s Super League following her 2015 move to Liverpool under Matt Beard. 
      And the forward would move south to Arsenal in March 2016, netting two goals in 13 WSL appearances and helping the Gunners beat Chelsea in the final of the FA Cup that year. 

      Oshoala left Arsenal for Chinese club Dalian in 2017, helping the side win China’s Women’s Super Cup and league title.
      The Nigeria star sealed a permanent switch to Barca in 2019 following a loan move in January that year.
      And the former Arsenal ace helped the Catalan giants win back-to-back titles in 2019 and 2020. 
      Oshoala helped Barcelona win their first Women’s Champions League trophyCredit: Getty
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      Kirby, Kerr and Hemp among Chelsea and Man City stars nominated for PFA gong

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      CHELSEA’S Fran Kirby and Sam Kerr and Manchester City ace Lauren Hemp are in the running for the 2021 Women’s PFA Players’ Player award.The trio are among six Blues and City stars named as nominees for the Professional Footballers’ Association prize. 
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      Sam Kerr and Fran Kirby are among the three Chelsea’s nominated for a Women’s PFA Players’ Player gongCredit: Getty
      Lauren Hemp has also been nominated for efforts on Man City’s flankCredit: Getty
      Other players nominated include Chelsea keeper Ann-Katrin Berger, City winger Chloe Kelly, 23, and former City midfielder Sam Mewis who has returned to US club North Carolina Courage. 
      Kirby and Kerr, both 27, formed a lethal partnership in attack for Emma Hayes’ side this term.
      The pair scored 37 goals in the top flight as Chelsea battled their way to a fourth Women’s Super League title. 
      And the duo’s clinical link-up play in the top tier has seen their boss compare them to Manchester United treble-winning legends Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke. 
      In the Blues’ goal Berger has been earning praise from pundits for some of her match-winning stops for the WSL champs. 
      The Germany international, 30, who admits to being a tough critic of her performances, has kept 12 clean sheets in 17 top tier games this season. 
      And Berger’s standout performances for Chelsea in Europe – including two penalty saves against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League League – have seen her shot-stopping described as world-class. 
      Meanwhile, City trio Hemp, 20, Kelly and Mewis, 28, played a key role in helping Gareth Taylor’s side take the race for the WSL title to the wire. 
      Hemp’s and Kelly’s impressive shifts on City’s flanks helped the team net 65 goals in the league this season. 
      Standout performances include a Kelly hat-trick in City’s 8-0 FA Cup demolition of Aston Villa, a month before the winger suffered an ACL injury in May. 
      Ann Katrin-Berger won praise for her domestic and European performances in goal for ChelseaCredit: Getty

      And Hemp’s back-to-back goals against Arsenal and Man United helped City seal important wins against the Gunners and the Red Devils in February. 
      Hemp has also been named in the PFA’s Women’s Young Player of the Year category. 
      Other nominees are Man United’s Ella Toone and Lauren James, Chelsea’s Niamh Charles, former Bristol striker Ebony Salmon and City keeper Ellie Roebuck. 
      Man United forward Ella Toone is one of six players in running for the PFA’s Women’s Young Player of the Year awardCredit: Rex
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