Credit: Imago

Cameron Smith

Wed 1 April 2026 15:10, UK

Everton Women have confirmed a loan switch for youngster Issy Hobson.

The 18-year-old academy graduate signed her first professional contract with the club last November, after loan spells with Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest.

After signing a deal until 2027, she joins Norwegian outfit BK Rosenborg on loan until the end of the Toppserien campaign in November.

Hobson became the youngest-ever Women’s Super League goalscorer in 2024, when she netted a stoppage-time equaliser against Arsenal aged 16 years and 180 days.

Now in search of game time, the defender is heading to Scandinavia.

Issy Hobson has already won hearts at Everton

Progressing through the Toffees ranks, the young defender is Everton through and through and considered one of the most impressive prospects across the WSL.

Amid an ongoing injury crisis at the start of the campaign, Hobson would be recalled from a loan spell at Nottingham Forest almost immediately, indicating the trust in her at the club.

During the month-long WSL pause last month, the defender won over hearts at Everton instantly.

Playing away at Liverpool in the FA Cup, Hobson was captured putting her fingers in her ears during the Reds’ pre-match anthem, You’ll Never Walk Alone.

Everton would fall to a 2-1 defeat on the day, but since then, the Blues have continued to prove themselves in the league under Scott Phelan, who has turned the tide thus far in his interim spell.

Everton will have an eye on the future with Issy Hobson

Since his arrival as interim boss, Phelan has overseen three wins, bringing an air of positivity despite the two recent losses to Manchester United and Liverpool.

Positives can be taken from both, and in particular, the defeat away at Manchester United, with Phelan’s side forcing a late equaliser through Imma Gabarro against one of the division’s established elite, before Melvine Malard found the back of the net in the 94th minute for the hosts.

Following the WSL return in March, the Toffees secured a fantastic 2-1 win against Tottenham to strengthen the gap to the drop zone – the goal that Phelan was handed upon his appointment.

Despite recent losses, survival looks likely this term, and there is genuine hope for further progression up the standings.

At 18, Hobson is one for the future.

While she has already made a name for herself, a spell in Norway could be the best way to get consistent minutes under her belt, with a view to becoming a Toffees regular upon her return.