Aston Villa sign Nigeria defender Rofiat Imuran as ninth summer recruit

Aston Villa have signed Nigeria international defender Rofiat Imuran from London City Lionesses, subject to visa approval, making her the Women’s Super League club’s ninth arrival of the summer transfer window.

The 22-year-old predominantly operates as a fullback and already has experience of playing in the WSL. She made 10 appearances in the division last season during her final campaign with London City Lionesses.

Villa announced the deal on their official website, confirming the addition of a player who has developed a reputation as an attack-minded modern fullback.

Imuran started her senior career with Rivers Angels before moving to France to join Stade de Reims Feminines. She spent two seasons in French football, scoring seven goals in 27 appearances.

The defender moved to English football in 2024 and continued her development with London City Lionesses. Her 10 WSL appearances last season came during her final campaign with the club before completing her move to Aston Villa.

Imuran has also progressed through the Nigeria national-team set-up. She was included in the Super Falcons squads for the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup and the 2026 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations.

During Nigeria’s campaign in Morocco at the 2026 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations, she played once. At the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup, she was an unused substitute.

Before becoming part of the senior Super Falcons squad, Imuran represented Nigeria’s under-20 side, the Falconets, at the 2022 Fifa U20 Women’s World Cup.

She will wear the number 22 shirt for Aston Villa during the 2026-2027 season.

The move represents the latest addition to Villa’s squad ahead of the new campaign, with Imuran arriving after gaining experience in both French and English football. Her ability to contribute in attacking areas from fullback will now be added to Aston Villa’s options in the WSL.

Imuran’s career has taken her from Rivers Angels to Stade de Reims Feminines and then into the English game with London City Lionesses. She now joins Aston Villa as the club’s ninth signing of the summer window, with the transfer awaiting visa approval.