De Graaf and Bailey-Gayle amongst quintet of Leicester City departures | OneFootball

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·23 May 2022

De Graaf and Bailey-Gayle amongst quintet of Leicester City departures

Article image:De Graaf and Bailey-Gayle amongst quintet of Leicester City departures

Defender Esmee de Graaf and forward Paige Bailey-Gayle are the notable names to appear on Leicester City’s released list this summer.

The Foxes have announced the news that five players are leaving The King Power Stadium with De Graaf and Bailey-Gayle being the surprise names to appear on the exit list.

The pair join goalkeeper Sophie Harris, striker Abbi Grant and midfielder Luana Zajmi in leaving the Barclays FA Women’s Super League’s 11th-placed club.


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De Graaf was one of just six Leicester City players to make 21 appearances for the club in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League this season. The club have advised that the defender is returning to her native Netherlands this summer, a sign that De Graaf may have a move to the Pure Energie Eredivisie Vrouwen lined-up.

Forward Bailey-Gayle made 12 league appearances for The Foxes in 2021/2022 with some her season disrupted through injury. The 20-year-old is a raw talent and should have no problem in finding a new club.

Goalkeeper Harris made just one appearance for Leicester City this season while forward Grant and midfielder Zajmi spent time out on loan at Glasgow City and Blackburn Rovers respectively.

Leicester City ended their debut top flight campaign two points above bottom club Birmingham City. The Foxes now face a busy summer as they put down stronger foundations for 2022/2023.

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