Ashleigh Plumptre Extends Al Ittihad Deal, Calls It Best Career Move

Ashleigh Plumptre, the Nigeria international and defender for Al Ittihad Ladies, has committed her future to the Saudi Women’s Premier League side by signing a contract extension, describing her decision to relocate to Saudi Arabia as “the best decision of my career”.

The 26 year old signed for Al Ittihad in 2023 after leaving Leicester City Women and has since become an influential figure at the club. In the announcement of her extension, Plumptre stated: “From the first day I arrived, I’ve been treated with respect not just as a footballer but as a person. I believe deeply in the project we’re building here.”

She credited the club’s professionalism, ambition and vision for the women’s game in Saudi Arabia as key factors in her commitment. “The passion, professionalism and structure at Al Ittihad are impressive there are even lessons some big European clubs could learn from,” Plumptre remarked.

Her move to the Kingdom initially stirred debate, but Plumptre remains unshaken: “Coming here was about more than football. It’s about being part of something new, something meaningful.” She added that her extended stay signals how aligned she feels with the club’s goals and culture.

Editorial

In the increasingly globalised terrain of women’s football, ash Plumptre’s narrative embodies more than a transfer it is a statement about agency, alignment and ambition. Her contract extension with Al Ittihad is not just an endorsement of the club it is a declaration of her belief in potential borne out of unlikely places.

To move from one of England’s more established women’s leagues to a nascent environment in Saudi Arabia requires conviction. For Plumptre, the move was less about comfort and more about construction: building a legacy rather than simply prolonging one. Her comment that the move was “the best decision of my career” signals not satisfaction, but purpose realised.

Nigeria’s female football ecosystem benefits from instances like this not merely because a player succeeds abroad, but because the success is layered with complexity identity, challenge, adaptation. Plumptre’s story will resonate for young African players who look beyond traditional pathways, seeing opportunity in emerging landscapes.

The broader message is clear: in football, where you play often matters less than how you play and why you play. Plumptre’s extension suggests she has found her “why”. The club, in turn, must now match that belief with infrastructure, ambition and performance. For both player and institution, the test is not in the length of the contract, but in what is delivered thereafter.

Did You Know?

1. Ashleigh Plumptre joined Al Ittihad Ladies in September 2023 after leaving Leicester City Women.
2. Before switching allegiance to Nigeria, Plumptre played for England’s youth teams.
3. She has spoken publicly about the “project” at Al Ittihad, writing that she wants to give back not only as a footballer but as a human being.
4. In her time in Saudi Arabia, she has noted that she feels “safer and more at ease” than in previous environments, reflecting both personal comfort and the club’s support structure.
5. Her contract extension was announced in February 2025, committing her to Al Ittihad until at least 2027.