Everton Women sign Claire Emslie on loan from Orlando Pride

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Everton Women have signed Scotland international forward Claire Emslie on loan from US side Orlando Pride for the 2020/21 season.

The 26-year-old brings a wealth of trophy-winning experience to Everton and links up again with Blues boss Willie Kirk.

The pair have worked together at Hibernian – where they helped the Edinburgh side win the 2011 Scottish League Cup – and Bristol City.

Having started her senior career at Hibs, Emslie first moved to America in 2012 having earned a scholarship at Florida Atlantic University.

During her three years at the university, she represented their Florida Atlantic Owls soccer team.

The talented attacker joined Bristol City in 2016 where her impressive form caught the attention of Manchester City and she moved to the WSL high-fliers the following year.

Emslie was part of the City team that won a Women’s FA Cup and League Cup double in 2018/19.

She returned to the US to join Orlando following the 2019 Women’s World Cup before moving on loan to Australian top-flight team Melbourne City last November, playing an important role as they secured the W-League title.

Emslie, who made her senior Scotland debut as a 19-year-old back in 2013, has won 28 caps for her country.

She becomes Everton’s sixth summer signing following the arrivals of Poppy Pattinson, Ingrid Moe Wold, Nicoline Sorensen, Rikke Sevecke and Valérie Gauvin.

“It’s really exciting to be here,” Emslie told evertonfc.com.

“The Club is really trying to grow and is on a journey. It’s definitely moving in the right direction.

“I’ve worked with Willie at Hibs and at Bristol and both my experiences were amazing.

“He’s someone I believe can get the best out of me – and that’s what I want to produce at Everton.”

Everton FC