Alisha Lehmann has completed a sensational return to the Women’s Super League by joining Leicester City on a contract until 2028.
The world’s most-followed female footballer has brought an end to her five-month spell with Italian side Como to bolster the Foxes’ ranks as they look to secure their top-flight status, with a potential debut against former club West Ham United pencilled in for this Sunday.
Switzerland forward Lehmann has officially moved back to England, having put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half-year deal with Leicester on Thursday.
Speculation regarding the 26-year-old’s future in Italy intensified over the weekend when she was conspicuously absent from the Como matchday squad for their goalless draw against Napoli.
But it has now been confirmed that Lehmann has cut short her five-month spell with the Serie A Femminile side by joining Rick Passmoor’s Foxes, who are currently ninth in the WSL and just five points above bottom-placed Liverpool.
Lehmann moved to Como on a three-year deal from Juventus in August, but the lure of a return to the English top flight appears to have been too strong to resist.
Her arrival is viewed as a significant coup for Leicester, bringing both elite-level experience and a massive global profile to the King Power Stadium.
Expressing her joy at completing a “homecoming” by returning to English shores, Lehmann told Leicester’s official club website: “It feels amazing and I’m so happy to be here.
“It feels like a homecoming, coming back to England, and I’m really happy.
“Leicester is an amazing club. I’ve seen the training ground and, of course, the stadium.
“They want to push women’s football forward.”
Foxes prioritise experience to avoid relegation scrap
Anxiously looking over their shoulder having won just one of their last five WSL games, Leicester’s hierarchy are evidently keen to remove any lingering threat of being dragged into a relegation dogfight.
To that end, Lehmann is the latest piece in an ambitious restructuring of the squad.
She joins a trio of seasoned campaigners who have already arrived this month.
The Foxes have secured the services of defender Ashleigh Neville from Tottenham, veteran striker Rachel Williams from Manchester United and Sarah Mayling on loan from Aston Villa.
By adding players with hundreds of combined WSL appearances, Leicester are looking to add grit and know-how to their dressing room.
Lehmann fits this mould perfectly, having already spent significant time in England’s top tier, and her addition suggests the club is looking to look upwards toward mid-table security rather than staring nervously at the drop zone.
A return to familiar territory for world’s most-followed female footballer
For Lehmann, this move marks a return to a league where she made her name as a global star.
The forward is no stranger to the demands of English football, having previously represented West Ham, Everton and Aston Villa.
Her adaptability and knowledge of the division will allow her to slot straight into the side without the need for a lengthy acclimatisation period.
Her time in Italy, though brief at Como, was successful in terms of silverware during her preceding stint.
She was part of the Juventus squad that lifted the Serie A title in the 2024-25 campaign, adding a winning mentality to her repertoire.
On the international stage, Lehmann remains a key figure for Switzerland, having earned over 60 caps for her country.
Off the pitch, her influence is unrivalled; with nearly 16 million followers on Instagram, she is the most-followed female footballer on the planet, guaranteeing plenty of eyes will now turn to Leicester following the completion of her move.
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Lehmann set for immediate impact against former employers
The timing of the transfer could not be more dramatic.
With Lehmann already training with the squad, expectations are high that she has been registered in time to feature this weekend.
In a twist of fate, Leicester’s next fixture is a crucial clash against West Ham – the club where Lehmann first introduced herself to English fans.
The Hammers currently sit in 11th place, just below Leicester, making Sunday’s encounter a vital “six-pointer” in the context of the league table.
If selected, Lehmann could make her debut against her former employers, providing the perfect narrative backdrop for her WSL homecoming.
With the team focused on widening the gap to the relegation zone, manager and fans alike will be hoping the Swiss star can hit the ground running immediately.
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