Everton have signed 26-year-old Finland striker Jutta Rantala from Leicester City, activating an undisclosed release clause in her contract. The move was confirmed on Wednesday after Everton announced the transfer, making Rantala the third Leicester player to join the Merseyside club this summer.
Transfer Details
Rantala had one year remaining on her Leicester contract after joining from Swedish club Vittsjo GIK in 2023. Everton paid an undisclosed fee to trigger her release clause. BBC Sport reported that the two clubs had agreed terms on Tuesday, and the signing followed the free transfer of Noemie Mouchon and the return of Hannah Cain to Everton.
Impact on Everton
The signing is part of Scott Phelan’s rebuild following an eighth-place finish in the WSL last season. Everton have now brought in six players from Leicester, including Rantala, Mouchon and Cain. Phelan was appointed permanent manager this summer after Brian Sorensen’s departure, and Rantala’s goal-scoring record is expected to help the Toffees push for a higher league finish.
Impact on Leicester
Leicester City sit 23rd in the Championship with 46 points from 46 games and a recent run of WDDLL form. Rantala’s exit is the sixth summer departure after the club’s relegation from the WSL in June. The Foxes now trail Coventry by 49 points in the title race, having scored 58 goals and conceded 68, leaving them with a goal difference of -10.
Rantala’s Background
The Finland international has 10 goals in 36 caps for her country and featured at Euro 2025. She scored 13 goals in 48 appearances for Leicester, winning the club’s player-of-the-season award and finishing as top-scorer in 2023-24. Rantala missed much of the following campaign with a knee injury.
Everton will look to integrate Rantala into their attack as they aim for a stronger WSL campaign under Phelan, while Leicester must regroup after another summer of heavy turnover following their drop from the top flight.
