Jill Scott joins Everton and Abbie McManus heads to Spurs in WSL loans

Jill Scott has joined Everton from Manchester City and Abbie McManus has left Manchester United for Tottenham on loan for the remainder of the season on a busy day in the Women’s Super League transfer window. Both players have made the moves in search of more playing time.

The 33-year-old Scott has started two of 10 WSL matches this season and is returning to the club where she played from 2006 to 2013.

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“I am delighted to be able to bring Jill back to the club,” said Everton’s manager, Willie Kirk. “She was a pivotal figure at Everton when the Women’s Super League was first formed and went on to become a significant part of Manchester City establishing themselves as one of the top clubs in this country.

“Her achievements in the game are incredible, and that was recognised with her MBE in the 2020 New Year’s Honours list. She is very excited to join us and I expect her to challenge and raise our standards, adding to the good work we are doing.”

Scott has 149 caps, second on England’s all-time list, and has played at four World Cups. She has started City’s two most recent games, in the WSL and League Cup, and could face Tottenham on Sunday.

Spurs said they were delighted McManus was joining for the rest of the season and the 28-year-old defender said: “I’m really excited to be joining Tottenham Hotspur, a big club with big ambitions. The team is in great form, winning three games on the bounce, and hopefully we can continue to build on those performances in the next few games and get into the top half of the table.

“I worked with Rehanne [Skinner] recently when she was assistant coach for England and I’m looking forward to working with her again. I’m excited to be here and can’t wait to get started.”