Everton have completed the permanent signing of Hannah Blundell following the defender’s impressive loan spell with the Blues during the second half of last season.
The former England international returns to Merseyside after the expiry of her contract from Manchester United, the four-time Women’s champion having made 10 appearance for the Toffees in 2025/26.
Blundell was crucial to Everton’s strong finish to their historic inaugural season at Goodison Park, her solid performances at full-back helping Scott Phelan’s side to an eighth-placed finish.
Now back as a Blue, Blundell explained the “easy decision” to return and work again with Phelan, who was appointed permanent head coach last month after a successful interim spell from February.
“I am really happy,” Blundell told evertontv. “It is a proud moment for me and my family, and is something I wanted to do. As soon as I knew Scott was going to be the manager, it was an easy decision for me to stay. I am really excited to get going.
“I want to play alongside these players. You could see the happiness we had at the WorldSevens tournament in May – I think everyone showed their true colours. The girls are fantastic. It makes it so easy to play alongside them, and I think that bodes well in bringing the togetherness in the group. Hopefully, that shows on the pitch as well as off the pitch.
“The Club is a very special one. It is something I am very proud to be a part of. I think the history shows itself and I am extremely proud to be wearing the badge properly this time. Hopefully, we can create some special memories together.”
Blundell was vital to Everton’s upturn of form since the turn of the year – the defender assisting Honoka Hayashi’s winning goal against West Ham at the Grand Old Lady in February as the Blues secured four consecutive league victories.
The right-back then got on the scoresheet at WorldSevens, her strike helping the clinical Toffees to an 8-2 victory over Leicester City.
Having returned to L4, Blundell hopes to make more memories in front of the Everton faithful.
“Goodison is such an iconic stadium,” she continued. “To play our home games here is so special. Creating memories and positive moments is something I am really looking forward to.
“I thought we showed some great glimpses of what we can achieve together, and hopefully we can build on that in the new season. Now we have got Scott permanently as well, I think it should be a really exciting season for us.
“I felt like as soon as I came into the Club, I built a good relationship with our fans. I think they are fantastic. Especially in a stadium like this, the noise they bring here is incredible and something that really helps as a player when you are playing.
“And then in away games as well, they are fantastic. Hopefully, we can create great memories together.”
On the signing of Blundell – which follows the summer additions of forwards Noémie Mouchon and Hannah Cain, permanent transfer of Zara Kramžar, and new deals for Megan Finnigan and Aurora Galli, Everton Technical Director, Nick Cox, said: “Hannah felt at home at Everton during her loan spell with us last season and we are delighted to see her join us on a permanent basis.
“She was an important part of the progress made since Scott took charge of the team and, with her quality and vast experience, we are looking forward to her helping us continue that this season.”
