Manchester United have completed the signing of the France forward Melvine Malard on a contract until the summer of 2027 for an undisclosed fee, the Guardian understands.
United triggered an option to buy the 24-year-old, which was part of the terms of her loan deal from Lyon. Malard spent last season at United and was part of the side that won their first Women’s FA Cup, coming off the bench at Wembley as a 50th-minute substitute to replace Leah Galton before Marc Skinner’s team added their second, third and fourth goals in their 4-0 victory over Tottenham. In the Women’s Super League, meanwhile, Malard played 19 times, scoring five goals.Born on the Indian ocean island of Réunion, Malard has played 22 times for France at senior level, scoring six goals. It is understood her three-year deal at United does not include any further year’s option.
Meanwhile, Manchester City have signed the Japan full-back Risa Shimizu from West Ham, also until 2027. The 28-year-old played 44 times for West Ham across two seasons and she has been given the No 2 shirt at last season’s WSL runners-up.Shimizu has been capped 78 times by Japan and was part of their squad for the Tokyo Olympics and at both the 2019 and 2023 World Cups. She will also be in Paris later this month for the Olympics.
“City play football with a high possession style, which I like,” Shimizu said. “I think I’m technically good and calm with the ball in possession, so I think I’ll play well in City’s style. I can’t wait to get started and hopefully lift the trophy with my new teammates.” City’s head coach, Gareth Taylor, said: “Risa brings intelligence and technical quality to the team. She’s an established international with huge WSL experience and we are delighted to bring her to our club.” Elsewhere in the WSL, Brighton have signed the 24-year-old former England youth international midfielder Bex Rayner, who has previously played for clubs including Sheffield United and Doncaster Rovers Belles.
The former England youth international midfielder Remi Allen has also been named as the new head coach at Championship side Southampton.Manchester United have completed the signing of France forward Melvine Malard on a contract until the summer of 2027. The club triggered an option to buy the 24-year-old as part of the terms of her loan deal from Lyon. Malard was instrumental in United’s Women’s FA Cup victory and contributed significantly in the Women’s Super League with five goals in 19 appearances last season. Her three-year deal does not include an option for an additional year.
Manchester City have signed Japan full-back Risa Shimizu from West Ham on a contract until 2027. Shimizu, who has extensive international experience with 78 caps for Japan, will bring her technical quality and intelligence to City’s high possession style of play. She previously played 44 times for West Ham and has participated in the Tokyo Olympics and both the 2019 and 2023 World Cups.
Brighton has signed former England youth international midfielder Bex Rayner, and former England youth international midfielder Remi Allen has been appointed as the new head coach of Championship side Southampton.
