The 22-year-old Nigerian international becomes Villa’s ninth signing of the summer transfer window as head coach Natalia Arroyo continues to strengthen her squad ahead of the 2026/27 Women’s Super League season. Imuran has been assigned the number 22 jersey.
Imuran began her senior career in France with Stade de Reims, where she made 27 league appearances and scored seven goals across two seasons. She moved to English football in 2024, joining London City Lionesses, and played a key role in their promotion to the Women’s Super League. Last season she made 10 appearances in the top flight for the Pride.
The left-sided defender has already gained valuable experience at international level. She made her senior debut for Nigeria in 2022 and was part of the Super Falcons squads at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. She also represented the Falconets at the 2022 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
Speaking after completing the move, Imuran expressed her excitement at joining the club.
“I’m very excited to be here and I want to achieve a lot of things. It’s a big club with a lot of history, and it has big ambitions, and I want to be part of it.”
Aston Villa’s Director of Women’s Football, Marisa Ewers, welcomed the addition, highlighting the player’s attributes and the club’s broader recruitment strategy.
“Rofiat is an exciting young defender who already has good experience in English football and at international level. She brings pace, energy and quality to our defensive options, and we believe her attributes are a really good fit for how Natalia wants the team to play. As a club, we have ambitions to build stronger connections across Africa and continue to identify and develop exciting talent from the continent.”
The signing adds further depth and competition to Villa’s defensive ranks as they prepare for another campaign in the Women’s Super League. Imuran’s pace, attacking instincts from full-back and international pedigree are expected to provide Arroyo with greater tactical flexibility.
For the Ibadan-born player, the move represents another significant step in her career. After progressing from Nigerian clubs Sunshine Queens and Rivers Angels to professional football in France and then England, she now joins one of the WSL’s established sides with clear ambitions to compete at the higher end of the table.
Imuran will now focus on completing the necessary formalities and integrating into the squad as Aston Villa Women continue their pre-season preparations.