Super Falcons defender Ashleigh Plumptre has reflected on her much-debated move to Saudi Arabia, revealing that while her initial reaction to the offer was negative, she now feels happier and safer in the Middle East than she ever did in the United Kingdom.
In 2023, the 27-year-old made history as the first player to transfer from the Women’s Super League to the Saudi Women’s Premier League, joining Jeddah-based Al-Ittihad after her contract with Leicester City expired. Two years on, she has extended her stay with the club and is determined to challenge Western stereotypes about life in Saudi Arabia—particularly for women in sports.
Plumptre also expressed regret over losing the trust of some LGBT supporters, acknowledging the complexities surrounding her move to a country where same-sex relationships are illegal.
“I spoke to some teams in the UK, the US, and Europe, then my dad mentioned that a club in Saudi Arabia was interested,” Plumptre told BBC Sport. “I was shocked—my first reaction was ‘no’—but I wanted to give them a chance.”
After an hour-long conversation with Al-Ittihad’s coach and management team, she decided to visit the country. “We barely talked about football. It was more about who we were and what we cared about. I’m guided by intuition, and after spending two days there, I just knew—it felt right.”
Her decision drew criticism, especially from sections of women’s football that pride themselves on inclusivity. “When I moved, the reaction wasn’t good at all,” she admitted. “Some people around Leicester felt like I wasn’t the person they thought I was. They felt hurt, like I was supporting something that made them feel undervalued—and I understand that. It doesn’t mean I condone everything associated with this place.”
Now living in a gated compound in Jeddah—a community that mirrors Western suburban life with gyms, pools, and restaurants—Plumptre says she has found peace. “I feel happier and safer here than I did in the UK,” she said. “Even friends and family who’ve visited say the same—it feels like a calm bubble.”
The defender acknowledged that the Saudi Women’s Premier League still has room to grow, noting that match attendances remain low due to limited community engagement. “We don’t have many fans,” she said. “There needs to be more effort to bring families and kids to games.”
On whether Saudi Arabia could soon host a Women’s World Cup, Plumptre believes the country must focus on steady progress. “In the near future, I’d say no—everything takes time,” she said. “I care deeply about helping Saudi players develop. It’s about taking deliberate, sustainable steps so that the growth lasts.”
