WSL: Wales defender Gemma Evans completes transfer from Manchester United to rivals Liverpool - 'Massive move for me'
Updated 16/08/2024 at 17:15 GMT+1
Gemma Evans has departed Manchester United after just one season to join rivals Liverpool in search of more regular game time. "I want to prove the ability I think I have," Evans said after being reunited with former Bristol City manager Matt Beard on Merseyside. Evans becomes Liverpool's third summer signing as the squad takes shape ahead of the 2024/25 Women's Super League season.
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Liverpool have completed the signing of Wales international Gemma Evans from Women’s Super League rivals Manchester United.
The 28-year-old defender brings a wealth of Women's Super League experience to The Reds, having made more than 100 appearances in the division between United, Reading and Bristol City.
Evans was part of United’s FA Cup-winning side last season, but is hoping to get more opportunities at her new club.
“It’s a massive move for me. Last season was a difficult year for me as I had to learn to be a team-mate in a different way on the field,” Evans told Liverpool's official website.
“So it’s so exciting to be at Liverpool and working with Matt again, and I’m proper looking forward to getting ready to go.
”I want more game time and I want to prove the ability I think I have. I haven’t been able to showcase that the last season so I want to meet my standards again and hit the floor running.”
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Evans, a 67-time Wales international, is a centre-back who can also play at left-back.
She first arrived in the WSL in July 2018 when she joined Bristol City from second-tier Yeovil Town, and spent three years there before signing for Reading.
Two years later, Evans joined United, but her spell in Manchester lasted just one season, where she featured 12 times in the WSL as her side finished fifth.
The Welsh player is reunited with former Bristol City boss Matt Beard in Liverpool and becomes the club’s third summer signing, following the arrivals of Canada international Olivia Smith and Swedish forward Cornelia Kapocs.
“I've worked under [Beard] before and he knows how to make me tick and get the best out of me,” Evans said.
“So when he came in for me, it was a no-brainer for me. This was something I had to do and I'm super-excited to play here and work under him again and [with] the girls here.
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“Matt cares about you as a person and not just as a player. You are not just a number to him and I think that's really important, especially for someone like me as I like to have that bond with a manager."
Going into 2024/25, Liverpool are looking to improve on last season’s fourth-placed finish.
They finished sixth points clear of United last term, but nine points outside the top three spots that bring UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifying places.
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