Everton have signed Wales international forward Hannah Cain following the expiry of her contract with Leicester City.
The 27-year-old returns to the Blues, who she signed her first professional contract with in July 2018, going on to spend two years on Merseyside before moving to the Foxes.
Cain becomes Everton Women’s second signing of the summer and quickly reunites with her former Leicester teammate Noémie Mouchon, who completed her transfer to the Toffees on Tuesday.
Scott Phelan’s side have also activated the permanent obligation for midfielder Zara Kramžar following the Slovenian’s loan spell with the Club last season, while long-term servants Megan Finnigan and Aurora Galli have penned new one-year deals.
Capped 26 times by Wales, Cain wrote her name in the history books when she scored the crucial goal against the Republic of Ireland to send the Red Dragons’ women’s team to their first major tournament – going on to score against England at the 2025 European Championships.
Now back in royal blue, Cain is raring to go at Goodison Park and excited to be working with newly-appointed permanent head coach, Scott Phelan.
“I am over the moon to be back,” Cain told evertontv. “Goodison is such an amazing place and it is nice to finally be in it as a home team player. I am really excited to be a part of it.
“I signed my first professional contract at Everton, so it is a full-circle moment for me, which is really nice. Coming back here, it feels like it is home for me.
“Having Goodison as our home shows how far the game has come. When I first signed my first deal, we played out of the city but now we have got this amazing place with so much history. When I played here at the end of last season, there was a lot of fans and the atmosphere was incredible. So I am really excited to be a part of it.”
Cain began her career at Sheffield FC in WSL2 following her development at Sheffield United’s Centre of Excellence. After being named the Supporters' Player of the Year in her second season at the club, she made the move to Merseyside.
The forward came off the bench against current WSL champions Manchester City in October 2018 to mark her first appearance for the Blues. One month later, she netted her maiden goal for the Toffees against Reading.
Cain then made 18 appearances in all competitions in the 2019/20 season, scoring against Bristol City at Ashton Gate in the FA Cup.
“The Everton fans have supported me throughout my whole journey – I think that is unique,” she said. “The supporters of this club have been a strong presence throughout my career ever since I first joined Everton. I think it is true what they say: once a Blue, always a Blue. Now I am excited to give back to them.
“I know how much it means to be a Blue and how much it means to the fans. I am a player who really enjoys that, and I like to feel a connection. I have felt that since I first originally came here, and I am excited to continue that.”
On working with Phelan and his coaching team, Cain added: “Scott is a great guy. I have had a couple of conversations with him now, and as soon as I knew he was interested, this was always the place I wanted to come back to. I love it so much.
“I am a person and a player who wears my heart on a sleeve, and I am pretty sure the fans will see that. Scott is very similar, so I think we bounce off each other like that.
“He is such a lovely guy, and what a pleasure to be a part of such an amazing team.”
Everton Technical Director, Nick Cox, said: “Hannah is a great addition to the squad on and off the pitch. An experienced international forward with an eye for goal, she has shown her qualities in providing assists for her teammates as well as finishing chances.
“Her desire to return to the Club she calls home shows how determined Hannah is to succeed with us.
“She knows the fabric of Everton, has a strong relationship with fans and staff and, on the pitch, she strengthens our attacking options for the new season.”
