The Everton Women Notebook includes details of a new signing, a new date for a rearranged game, the latest team news and talks with the club’s new owners
Everton will get their season back up and running on Saturday when they welcome Aston Villa to Walton Hall Park in the Women’s Super League (5.30pm kick-off). The Blues’ opening game of 2025, against Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Women’s Cup, was postponed.
Brian Sorensen’s side ended 2024 superbly, beating high-flying Manchester City 2-1 at home after winning the derby with Liverpool 1-0 in front of nearly 10,000 supporters at Goodison Park.
And they will go into the game against Villa, who also sit on nine points after 10 matches, buoyed by a new signing.
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Full details in our round-up of the latest news from Everton Women…
Louna Ribadeira joins on loan from Chelsea
Everton have signed France international striker Louna Ribadeira on loan from Chelsea for the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign.
The 20-year-old becomes the Blues’ fifth acquisition of the January transfer window, following the arrivals of Kelly Gago, Martina Fernandez, Emma Watson and Hayley Ladd.
Ribadeira, who won last season’s Division 1 Féminine Young Player of the Year while with Paris FC, can’t wait to get going.
“I’m very happy to be here because Everton is one of the best clubs in the WSL,” she told evertontv. “So I’m very happy and I’m looking forward to starting.
“It’s good to get experience in this league because I know this league is tough; it’s aggressive, it’s physical. So I think it’s a good step to progress and to adapt.
“Brian is a good, good coach, so I’m happy to work with him. I’m excited to start.”
Sorensen said: “Louna is an excellent talent which is why Chelsea signed her to a long-term contract. She is a different type of No.9 striker who can drop into midfield and build up play, while her finishing is top quality.
“Louna joins us after sustaining a minor injury so we need to manage that correctly and build her up, but I’m sure she will be a good fit for us and can settle in well in the WSL.”
Chelsea await Everton or Tottenham Hotspur in FA Women’s Cup
Everton’s FA Women’s Cup fourth-round tie at home to Tottenham has been rearranged for Wednesday, January 29 at Walton Hall Park (7pm kick-off).
The Blues were scheduled to face Spurs last Sunday but the tie was postponed because of a frozen pitch. All tickets purchased for the original game will be valid for the rearranged fixture later this month.
The winners of the clash will face a trip to Women’s Super League leaders Chelsea in the fifth round.
Team news for Aston Villa match
Sorensen says Karen Holmgaard will be in contention to rejoin the squad soon, either this week or next, but Elise Stenevik is not yet ready to return.
Longer-term injury victims Inma Gabarro, Kenzie Weir and Aurora Galli all remain sidelined.
Talks with the club’s new owners The Friedkin Group
Sorensen has held talks with the club’s new owners, The Friedkin Group, which he described as very positive.
Since the takeover, Everton have been able to bring in five players in total, two on permanent deals and three on loans.
And Sorensen said: “One thing is the players. That is what we needed in terms of the depth in the squad and having that quality available week in and week out.
“I had talks with the Friedkin Group and they are very, very positive about the women’s programme.
“I think we will see even more changes going forward in terms of the facilities, the staff etc.”
Manchester Utd star lends hand to Aintree programme
Manchester United and England star Ella Toone has lent her support to a national football education programme, offering young aspiring players aged 16 to 19 a career focused education programme, and a match-winning player development programme.
The programme will run across Access Sports’ UK sites, including in Aintree, and gets underway in September 2025.
Toone said: “I always wanted to start my own academy to give girls a chance of fulfilling their dreams. ET7 is me giving back, a place to help develop young girls both on and off the pitch. Somewhere girls can play with a smile on their face and enjoy playing football within a safe environment.
“I am really looking forward to working with Access Sport College as it is clear our ethos align to represent the dream, believe, achieve values we have set here at the ET7 Academy ”
