Sophie Ingle has reportedly signed for Women’s Super League 2 side Bristol City after leaving Chelsea earlier this summer.
The Guardian have reported that the former Wales captain returns to Bristol, 11 years after she first joined the club.
It comes after Wales manager Rhian Wilkinson exclusively told SheKicks in an interview that Ingle had a “few options on the table”.
Ingle spent two seasons at the club when they played in the English top-flight, before joining Liverpool and later Chelsea.
She had a trophy-laden seven-year stint at Chelsea, winning five WSL titles, three Women’s FA Cups and two League Cups.
The 33-year-old had not played for Chelsea since September after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury. After a hard-fought journey she made the Wales squad just in time for their first-ever major international tournament at Euro 2025.
However, she only played three minutes at the tournament after coming on as a late substitute against France.
She was an unused substitute against the Netherlands and England – who went on to win the tournament in Switzerland.
The Lionesses are second-favourites with betting sites to win Euro 2029.
Exclusive: The Guardian understands Bristol City have signed Sophie Ingle, following her summer departure from Chelsea, in a move that sees the Wales midfielder return to the club she first joined 11 years ago. Huge signing for #BristolCity. #BarclaysWSL2https://t.co/XpiQZ41r48
— Tom Garry (@TomJGarry) August 8, 2025
Sophie Ingle had a few options on the table
Sophie Ingle’s expected return to Bristol City comes at a time when she was looking for a new club after her contract with Chelsea expired.
Wales manager Rhian Wilkinson praised Ingle in an interview with SheKicks, and said that the midfielder had a “few options on the table”.
She said: “She worked so hard to get healthy. That was very impressive and she was right on the cusp of what she can deliver.
“It (the injury) was unfortunate for us, she is a player that any coach would want on the team.
“I know she has got a few options on the table, she’s a smart young lady, she will take her time and choose the right place for herself.
“I am excited for her this next chapter at the back end of her career, where she wants to go and keep pushing herself and keeping her at the level she wants to be at.”
When could Sophie Ingle make her Bristol City return?
The signing of Sophie Ingle is a huge positive for Bristol City in terms of their Women’s Super League 2 ambitions.
Due to the expansion of the WSL to 14 teams, as many as three teams could be promoted to the top-flight.
Bristol City start their season against one of the favourites to win the league, Birmingham City, on September 7th.
Their opening month of fixtures also includes clashes with Portsmouth, Southampton and Nottingham Forest.
Bristol are next in action on August 16th with a pre-season friendly against the London City Lionesses.
