Birmingham City will somewhat emulate a WNL fantasy team this season in the Women’s Super League after their signings of Peamount United’s Eleanor Ryan-Doyle and Shelbourne’s Emily Whelan brings their Irish squad count to five.
There they join fellow new signings Jamie Finn and club captain Louise Quinn, but former Blues player Ruesha Littlejohn has made way to local rivals Aston Villa.
The #WNL ‘s top scorer snatched up in a flash ⚡️Eleanor Ryan Doyle and Shels maestro Emily Whelan head oversees to Birmingham 👇@LoiWomen @shelsfc @peamountutd https://t.co/pbpJVcHFB5
— Alanna Cunnane (@acunnane10) September 3, 2021
Eleanor Ryan-Doyle
Very well deserved @EleanorRdoyle 💚 We miss you already 😭 https://t.co/pVhV0l7Qu5
— Áine O' Gorman (@Aineogor9) September 3, 2021
The Women’s National League top scorer Ryan Doyle will be sorely missed by The Peas having been at the club for over 15 years.
She was instrumental in United’s league performances this season and recently netted a brace in their Champions League fixture against Spartak Subotica.
The 23 year old has played for the national team at underage level and the departure and subsequent one year deal marks her first professional contract.
“I’m excited to see where it will take me and how I will progress with my football” she says.
“Scott [Booth] has told me about his plans for the season and what the team’s ambitions are, which is something that I wanted to be a part of.”
Hopefully we will have a league some day that will hold on to this type of talent 😢 ones loss is another’s gain 💚 @EleanorRdoyle https://t.co/IgfrwZIhpe
— Niamh Reid Burke (@NiamhReidBurke) September 3, 2021
Emily Whelan
Shelbourne FC can confirm forward Emily Whelan has completed a move to @BCFCwomen 👏
A huge player for us, coming right through our system, Emily moves onto the @BarclaysFAWSL
Thanks for everything, @emilywhelan1297! #RedsTogether | #WNL pic.twitter.com/VzRyMaEML7— Shelbourne FC (@shelsfc) September 3, 2021
The second Red to transfer to City this window is 19 year old Whelan.
A midfield maestro for the Tolka Park outfit she has five senior international caps to her name and will be looking to brew up a storm for Birmingham this year.
Cognisant of the fact that it is “a big step up” Whelan remains “really excited for the upcoming season.”
“I will do my best to help the team” she says.
“I’ll do everything I can to help us get to where we want to be….I’m willing to work hard and give it everything I’ve got.”
Never been happier to have a player on my team. The definition of a workhorse, and one of the nicest people I know. Wishing @emilywhelan1297 nothing but the best, she’s a star in the making ❤️ https://t.co/2GgJA9UhJH
— Chloe Mustaki (@CMustaki) September 4, 2021
Ruesha Littlejohn
We are pleased to announce the signing of @RueshaLJ! 🟣
Glad to have you on board, Ruesha!— Aston Villa Women (@AVWFCOfficial) September 1, 2021
Two in one out, City have parted ways with Littlejohn as she follows previous manager Carla Ward to local challengers Villa.
The measure is a short-term contract for the 31 year old who donned the Birmingham blue shirt on 11 occasions.
Ward was delighted to offer the Republic of Ireland stalwart a manoeuvre and describes the opportunity as a “no brainer.”
“She’s an experienced head who drives standards, and having worked with her last season I know the sort of quality she can bring on and off the field” she says.
“She’s settled in well and has quickly become an important figure amongst the group.”
🟣 @RueshaLJ 🟣
Drop our newest signing a follow! 📲 pic.twitter.com/Bbb1TFiZ0e— Aston Villa Women (@AVWFCOfficial) September 1, 2021
