Sunderland AFC Women have completed the permanent signing of France International Tess Laplacette.
The defender becomes the Black Cats’ ninth summer signing ahead of the 2026-27 season, bringing valuable experience from her career in France and international experience with France’s youth teams.
Laplacette previously captained Olympique de Marseille and was part of the club’s French Second Division title-winning sides in 2016 and 2025. She has also represented France at U17 and U19 level, making 22 appearances for the national youth teams.
The 27-year-old spent eight seasons with Marseille across two spells, also representing Paris FC and Lille during her career in France.
Upon signing, Laplacette said: “I’m delighted to join Sunderland and to experience a new and exciting project. This is a new chapter for me and my first experience of English football, so I’m really looking forward to starting this exciting journey with the Club.”
Sporting Director Rehanne Skinner said: “Tess brings a consistently high level of performance and experience from her career in France, alongside valuable international experience with France’s youth teams. Her leadership qualities, including her experience as a captain at Marseille, will help strengthen the backline and add another dimension to the team. We are delighted to welcome Tess to the team.”
Head Coach Reay added: “Tess is a great addition to our right-hand side. Her dynamism and work rate have been evident across her time in France, where she has excelled in quality sides. She’s very solid defensively and can also be a real threat going forward. I’m really looking forward to seeing her in action for us.”