Manchester United Women trigger Gabby George release clause to sign her from Everton Women
Manchester United women have met the £150,000 release clause in the contract of Everton star Gabby George and are now on the verge of completing the deal, according to the Liverpool Echo.
The newspaper shared the news via their website on 13 September, as he also revealed Everton were keen on retaining her services, but are now powerless after the release clause was met.
George came through the youth ranks with Manchester United before joining the Toffees, but will now return to Manchester as manager Marc Skinner aims to win the club’s first-ever major trophy.
George taking a step up
For George, joining the side that narrowly missed out on the Women’s Super League title by just two points will see her take a huge step up from last season’s top-six with Everton, despite the club’s aims of pushing into the top four in the coming season.
United also finished as runners-up in the Women’s FA Cup last season and will play in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, and as a consequence are looking to build a squad capable of bettering their successes last time out.
Having arrived at Everton in 2014, George is one of the longest-serving members of the squad, and contributed heavily to her side’s form last season, making 16 appearances and scoring two goals while providing two assists from the back.
This will be a particularly big blow to Everton’s hopes for the season after losing another key defender in Rikke Sevecke already this summer, although seven new arrivals are sure to soften the blow somewhat.
George had especially excelled following the arrival of manager Brian Sorensen last summer, with her new position as a left wing-back allowing her to play a more advanced role, which ultimately attracted the interest of United.
In other Everton news, the club are interested in completing the free transfer of a Ligue 1 Champion.