Imuran joins Aston Villa from London City Lionesses

Rofiat Imuran says she wants to achieve “a lot of things” after joining Aston Villa Women from London City Lionesses, with the move awaiting visa approval.

The 22-year-old Nigeria international becomes Aston Villa’s ninth addition of the summer as manager Natalia Arroyo reshapes her squad for the 2026/27 Women’s Super League season.

Imuran started her career with Sunshine Queens and Rivers Angels in Nigeria before spending two seasons at France’s Stade de Reims. She made 27 league appearances and scored seven goals for the club, then moved to English football with London City Lionesses in 2024.

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I’m very excited to be here and I want to achieve a lot of things. It’s a big club with a lot of history, and it has big ambitions, and I want to be part of it.

She made her senior Nigeria debut in 2022 and was part of the Super Falcons squads at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. She also played at the 2022 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

“I’m very excited to be here and I want to achieve a lot of things,” Imuran said. “It’s a big club with a lot of history, and it has big ambitions, and I want to be part of it.”

Aston Villa Director of Women’s Football Marisa Ewers described Imuran as an exciting young defender with experience in English football and international competition. She said the Nigerian would bring pace, energy and quality to the defensive options, and added that the signing supported the club’s aim of building stronger connections across Africa.

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Rofiat is an exciting young defender who already has good experience in English football and at international level. She brings pace, energy and quality to our defensive options, and we believe her attributes are a really good fit for how Natalia wants the team to play.