Ireland international Payne joins Leicester as Campbell takes first coaching role at Bolton

Versatile Payne swaps blue of Everton for King Power Stadium as out-of-contract veteran Campbell takes coaching role at fifth-tier Bolton but will continue playing career elsewhere 

ON THE MOVE: Heather Payne of Republic of Ireland. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Ireland international Heather Payne has joined Leicester City ahead of the new WSL season while her Ireland teammate Megan Campbell has confirmed her first steps into management. 

The versatile Payne is swapping the blue of Everton, where she spent the past two seasons, for Leicester where she has signed a two-year contract until the end of the the 2026/27 campaign. 

“This is a place where I can develop, and I’ve heard really good things about the team itself and the staff,” said the 25-year-old who has 51 Ireland caps at right back and on the right wing. "I’m excited to get to work there."

Her veteran international colleague meanwhile has made the move into coaching as she confirmed a new role as assistant of Bolton Wanderers Women. The club are in the fifth tier of the English pyramid and Campbell, who helped the London City Lionesses to promotion to the WSL last year, will combine cutting her coaching teeth there as she continues her playing career elsewhere. 

“I hope that my knowledge and experience within the game can help develop our squad not only as players, but more importantly as people," said the Drogheda-born Campbell.

“I am ambitious within my own coaching journey to develop as much as I can. Working alongside Myles and the rest of the staff here, I know that I will continue to grow as a coach.

“I am privileged that my first coaching appointment is with Bolton Wanderers and I’m really looking forward to the season ahead and beyond.”