‘I wanted to give them a chance’ - Super Falcons star opens up on leaving Europe for Saudi Arabia
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Super Falcons star opens up on leaving Europe || Imago

‘I wanted to give them a chance’ - Super Falcons star opens up on leaving Europe for Saudi Arabia

Stephen Oladehinde 10:54 - 08.10.2025

Super Falcons defender Ashleigh Plumptre has opened up about her decision to join Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad after the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.

The 27-year-old centre-back became a free agent, with many expecting a move within Europe or to the US. 

However, Plumptre signed with the Saudi Women's League side in September 2023, marking a significant career shift.

Since her move, Plumptre has continued to be a key figure for her new club and the Super Falcons team.

Plumptre’s decision not based on money

In a recent interview with BBC Sport UK, the defender detailed the thought process behind joining Al-Ittihad.

"I spoke to some teams in the UK, US and Europe, then Dad said there was a team in Saudi Arabia who are interested in you," Plumptre recalled. "I was shocked. My initial reaction was ‘no', but I wanted to give them a chance.

Super Falcons star Ashleigh Plumptre captains Al-Ittihad || Imago
Super Falcons star Ashleigh Plumptre captains Al-Ittihad

"I had an hour-long call with the coach and two people in the management staff and I said to Dad, ‘I have a really good feeling about this,'" she explained. 

"We barely even spoke about football, but about ourselves and what we were passionate about." Her intuition guided her decision. "I'm someone who goes off feeling and intuition.

“But I wanted to go out and visit – I wanted to see what it was really like. I visited for two days and really liked it, and when I left there I thought ‘this is where I want to be'."