Ashleigh Plumptre bids emotional farewell to Leicester City

Nigeria international, Ashleigh Plumptre has penned an emotional farewell as she departed Leicester City after the expiration of her contract at King Power Stadium.

Plumptre joined the club in 2020, making a noteworthy transition from the University of Southern California’s USC Trojans. Having completed her Human Biology degree, she embarked on a promising journey with the Foxes.

During the 2022/23 season campaign, the 25-year-old showcased her prowess on the field, making 23 appearances across various competitions.

The Nigerian played a significant role in the team’s triumph as winners of the Barclays Women’s Championship in 2021.

After a remarkable 79 appearances in City Blue, Plumptre departed Belvoir Drive.

In a published statement posted on her official page, the Nigerian penned her emotions as she bids farewell to the people of Leicester.

“After graduating university in the US at the end of 2019, there was only one place I wanted to be – home,” her Twitter post reads.

“The place that accepted me into the academy at 8 years old. The team that I grew up supporting, but more importantly, the place that gave me the platform to have the life experiences I’ve had up to now.

“I joined a semi-professional outfit who had the ambition to strive for Barclays Women’s Championship glory in their first year of professionalism went on to retain WSL status in the following two seasons and had the backing of a city who believed when no one else did.

“I joined a project driven by a Leicester-based family who brought the club from the 4th tier to the WSL. A family which made this place feel like a second home to me – a place I felt welcomed, valued, and appreciated in.

“To the pioneers of the now, LCFC Women, the Morgan family.… thank you. You have paved the way for this project you started on your own doorstep and your efforts have not only catapulted the club to its place in one of the top leagues in the world but gave a hometown girl an experience of a lifetime.

“Having the opportunity to play for LCFC Women was more than just representing the badge – it was the privilege of representing the city and more importantly, every person who would show up, support, cheer, and wait over an hour post-match to say hello.

“It’s the people that made this experience what it was. The kids who would tell me about the games they’d won to make me feel better about our loss. Or, the parents who would wait after every game with their kid for a signature on the scarf that had already been signed the week before.

“I was back amongst the same community that gave me the support at 8 years old and all I wanted was to be able to come back to return the thanks.

‘To every fan, staff member, and teammate I’ve met while being at this club and all the fans I never got the chance to meet personally – thank you.

“I leave knowing I’ve poured every ounce of myself into this team. Thank you for bringing me home, Lestah. Never a goodbye x.”

Having switched her international allegiance from England to Nigeria in 2021, the versatile defender represented the Super Falcons in the 2022 CAF Women Africa Cup of Nations held in Morocco, and she is currently in camp with the team for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.