The Girls In Green Overseas: Moves For Littlejohn, Ryan-Doyle and Whelan

Birmingham City will somewhat emulate a WNL fantasy team this season in the Women’s Super League after their signings of Peamount United’s Eleanor Ryan-Doyle and Shelbourne’s Emily Whelan brings their Irish squad count to five.

The Girls In Green Overseas: Moves For Littlejohn, Ryan-Doyle and Whelan
Alanna Cunnane
Alanna Cunnane

Birmingham City will somewhat emulate a WNL fantasy team this season in the Women’s Super League after their signings of Peamount United’s Eleanor Ryan-Doyle and Shelbourne’s Emily Whelan brings their Irish squad count to five.

There they join fellow new signings Jamie Finn and club captain Louise Quinn, but former Blues player Ruesha Littlejohn has made way to local rivals Aston Villa.

Eleanor Ryan-Doyle

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The Women’s National League top scorer Ryan Doyle will be sorely missed by The Peas having been at the club for over 15 years.

She was instrumental in United’s league performances this season and recently netted a brace in their Champions League fixture against Spartak Subotica.

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The 23 year old has played for the national team at underage level and the departure and subsequent one year deal marks her first professional contract.

“I’m excited to see where it will take me and how I will progress with my football” she says.

“Scott [Booth] has told me about his plans for the season and what the team’s ambitions are, which is something that I wanted to be a part of.”

Emily Whelan

The second Red to transfer to City this window is 19 year old Whelan.

A midfield maestro for the Tolka Park outfit she has five senior international caps to her name and will be looking to brew up a storm for Birmingham this year.

Cognisant of the fact that it is “a big step up” Whelan remains “really excited for the upcoming season.”

“I will do my best to help the team” she says.

“I’ll do everything I can to help us get to where we want to be….I’m willing to work hard and give it everything I’ve got.”

Ruesha Littlejohn

Two in one out, City have parted ways with Littlejohn as she follows previous manager Carla Ward to local challengers Villa.

The measure is a short-term contract for the 31 year old who donned the Birmingham blue shirt on 11 occasions.

Ward was delighted to offer the Republic of Ireland stalwart a manoeuvre and describes the opportunity as a “no brainer.”

“She’s an experienced head who drives standards, and having worked with her last season I know the sort of quality she can bring on and off the field” she says.

“She’s settled in well and has quickly become an important figure amongst the group.”

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