Cecily Wellesley-Smith joins Leicester City on loan from Arsenal

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·05 de setembro de 2025

Cecily Wellesley-Smith joins Leicester City on loan from Arsenal

Arsenal academy graduate Cecily Wellesley-Smith has completed a loan move to Leicester City from Arsenal for the 2025/26 season.

The young centre-back signed for Arsenal at the age of 17, after developing through Oxford United’s academy system.

Vídeos OneFootball

Wellesley-Smith spent her first season at the North London side on a dual-registration agreement. This enabled her to play for Oxford United and Arsenal’s U21 side. She made 16 appearances for Oxford on dual-registration. She also had the opportunity to train alongside Arsenal’s first team throughout the 2024/25 season.

Wellesley-Smith went on to sign her first professional contract for the Gunners in June 2025. Although yet to make her competitive senior debut, the defender took part in Arsenal’s pre-season preparations.

The Arsenal academy product is well accomplished on the international stage, most recently attending the 2025 UEFA U19 European Championships with the Young Lionesses. She has also represented her country at U17 level, including at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in October 2024.

The young defender is a highly-regarded prospect at Arsenal, known for her aerial qualities and passing ability. The Gunners have a history of producing high quality centre-backs from their Academy, including the likes of England captain Leah Williamson and Lotte Wubben-Moy.

Therefore, a loan is crucial to help Wellesley-Smith develop and adapt to the defensive demands of the WSL which will help her to challenge for first-team minutes in the future.

Adding depth to Leicester’s backline

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For Leicester, the 18-year old will add valuable defensive cover which is especially important considering the loss of experienced central defender Sophie Howard leaving Leicester short in this position.

She is also capable of playing on either side of central defence,providing additional competition and depth for Leicester’s back line.

This depth will help Leicester to compete within the WSL and the two cup competitions whilst giving Wellesley-Smith a great opportunity to learn and improve her game within the WSL.

The youngster will have the chance to come up again many of the best forwards in the world, helping her to improve her tactical understanding and positional awareness.