Rofiat Imuran Completes Aston Villa Move as Super Falcons Defender Begins New Chapter in England
Nigerian football has received another major boost in Europe after Super Falcons defender Rofiat Imuran completed a permanent move to Aston Villa Women ahead of the 2026/27 season.
The 22-year-old defender has joined Aston Villa from London City Lionesses, becoming the club’s ninth signing of the summer transfer window as head coach Natalia Arroyo continues to reshape her squad. Aston Villa confirmed the transfer, with the deal subject to visa approval.
Imuran’s arrival represents an important step in what has already been an impressive rise through European women’s football. The Nigerian defender began her professional career with French side Stade de Reims before moving to England in 2024 to join London City Lionesses.
Her time with London City proved particularly significant. She was part of the side that achieved historic promotion to the Women’s Super League, helping the club establish itself at the highest level of English women’s football. London City confirmed that Imuran had left the club on a permanent transfer after playing an important role during her spell there.
Now, the Nigerian international has the opportunity to continue her development at one of England’s most recognised football clubs.
Imuran primarily operates as a left-back and has earned a reputation for her pace, energy and willingness to contribute in attacking areas. Those qualities are expected to give Aston Villa another option on the left side of their defence as they prepare for the new campaign.
Her move also reflects the growing recognition of Nigerian talent within European women’s football. Over the years, the Super Falcons have produced players capable of competing at the highest level, and Imuran is increasingly becoming another important name in that group.
The defender has already experienced international football with Nigeria, having made her senior Super Falcons debut in 2022. She was part of Nigeria’s squad for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and was also involved with the national team at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
That international experience could prove valuable at Aston Villa, particularly as the club looks to build a competitive squad capable of challenging strongly in the Women’s Super League.
Speaking after completing the move, Imuran made it clear that she sees Aston Villa as more than simply another club in her career. She expressed excitement about joining a club with a strong history and ambitious plans.
“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.”
Her comments underline the ambition surrounding the transfer. For a young defender who has already experienced football in both France and England, Aston Villa provides another opportunity to test herself against some of the best players in the women’s game.
The move is also significant for Aston Villa’s recruitment strategy. The club has been active in strengthening its women’s squad during the summer, and Imuran’s arrival adds another young player with international experience and considerable room for further development.
Aston Villa’s Director of Women’s Football, Marisa Ewers, has highlighted Imuran’s qualities, particularly her pace, energy and ability as a defender. The club also views the signing as part of its broader ambition to strengthen its connections with African football and identify talented players from the continent.
For Imuran, the challenge now will be to establish herself in a new environment and compete for regular playing time. The Women’s Super League is one of the most competitive women’s leagues in the world, meaning every opportunity to impress will be important.
However, her journey so far suggests she is ready for the challenge. From her development in Nigeria to her move to France, her progression with London City Lionesses and her growing role with the Super Falcons, Imuran has continued to take significant steps forward.
Her transfer to Aston Villa could therefore prove to be one of the most important stages of her career.
For Nigerian supporters, the move is another reason for optimism. Seeing a Super Falcons defender join a historic English club strengthens Nigeria’s presence in European football and gives Imuran another platform to develop before bringing that experience back to the national team.
As the 2026/27 season approaches, attention will now turn to how quickly Imuran settles into life at Aston Villa and how much influence she can have on Natalia Arroyo’s team.
One thing is already clear: Rofiat Imuran has earned another major opportunity, and her move to Aston Villa could be the beginning of an exciting new chapter in both her club career and her journey with the Super Falcons.
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