Born on 8 May 1998 in Leicester, Ashleigh Plumptre is a Nigeria Super Falcons and Al-Ittihad defender. The defender, whose family lives in England, was a rock for the Super Falcons in the tournament, helping them reach the Round of 16.
On the club side, it was announced before the World Cup that the Super Falcons defender has decided to part ways with English Super League side Leicester City. The departure of Plumptre was officially announced by the Foxes in a statement in the second week of July 2023.
Leicester Women confirmed that the talented defender left the club after her contract expired at the King Power Stadium.
Ashleigh Plumptre has made headlines with her recent decision to join Al-Ittihad, a prominent Saudi Arabian club. The 25-year-old talent officially confirmed her transfer, sparking curiosity about her motivation behind this move.
In an interview with the club's official website, Ashleigh Plumptre shed light on her decision. She expressed a deep connection with football, not only as a sport but as a means to connect with herself and those around her, including teammates and staff.
“Football is for me has always been about connecting with not only more of myself but with the people that I’m surrounded by whether that’s my teammates, staff,” Plumptre told the club’s official website.
“Throughout everything I’ve done in my career so far has always been about representing something bigger than myself. Joining Al-Ittihad I feel as if I’m going to have so many opportunities both on and off the pitch to be able to learn about football here.”
Ashleigh Plumptre
Plumptre was born in Leicester, England on May 8, 1998, to English parents but her Nigerian roots can be traced to her grandfather, a Yoruba man. Plumptre has played for England’s ,teams but she publicly declared her interest in playing for Nigeria in 2021. pic.twitter.com/Ns7w7b2J6N— EzZaWorLdNews (@ezza_world) July 18, 2022
Ashleigh Plumptre and her early life
Growing up in Melton Mowbray, Plumptre attended primary school there. Her journey in football began at the age of 4 when she joined Asfordby Amateurs.
Recognizing her talent and dedication, she joined the Leicester City Centre of Excellence at the age of eight and spent seven years with the club, progressing from under-10 to under-15 level.
In 2013, she made a move to Birmingham City's under-17 team, where she had the opportunity to train with the senior WSL 1 team. During that time, she briefly joined Derby County's Centre of Excellence, a third-tier FA Women's Premier League side.
Growing up in Melton Mowbray, a short 30-minute drive from the city, Plumptre's affinity for football led her to join Leicester City's centre of excellence at a young age.
From the age of eight to 14, she honed her skills within the club's youth system, having already started playing for a local girls' team a few years prior.
Reflecting on her childhood, Plumptre describes herself as a child who always craved physical activity. After returning home from school, she would promptly drop off her bags and head outside to play football until her mother called her in for dinner.
This unwavering dedication to the sport was a testament to her passion and drive, even at a young age.
“I was one of those kids that just always wanted to be active,” Plumptre said.
Although she temporarily left Leicester City during her teenage years, fate would bring her back to the club where she would eventually sign her first professional contract.
“[It] meant a lot to me to sign for Leicester because it was the club I’ve always supported and I grew up here,” she divulged.
“I felt valued here, and I felt like I had a purpose here in trying to bring success to the club.”
Ashleigh Plumptre and her education
In pursuit of her dreams, Plumptre moved to the United States in 2016 to pursue a scholarship at the University of Southern California.
There, she majored in human biology and also played for the university's football team. In her first year, the team won the National Championship and were even invited to the White House to celebrate their achievement.
“It influenced so many things in my life, and not just football, I found out more about myself, what I’m passionate about,” she reflected.
Ashleigh Plumptre Family
Ashleigh Plumptre comes from a mixed heritage. Her father is of Nigerian descent, specifically from Lagos State, and belongs to the Yoruba tribe. Her mother is English.
Her grandfather from her dad’s side is a Nigerian from Lagos state. He is of Yoruba descent. Her younger sister Bayleigh Bisi Plumptre is a drummer.
Meet Ashleigh plumptre, 23 years old Leicester city player who is also the newest member of the Nigerian super falcons team 🤗
She's born to a Nigerian Dad and a British mom, so for those asking, yes she's a Nigerian 💪
Wishing her all the best out here ❣️💯 pic.twitter.com/J3PKS7H6yn— ۗۗۗۗۗۗۗۗۗۗۗۗۗۗۗۗۗۗۗۗۗۗۗۗMr. Abdul (عَبْدُالْمَلِك) (@Xzeecool) February 19, 2022
Ashleigh Plumptre International Career
Plumptre's connection to her Nigerian roots played a significant role in her decision to represent the Nigeria national team.
She spoke about her purpose and how it has evolved over time, emphasizing her desire to delve into her heritage and represent the people she is familiar with.
Plumptre values the impact she can have as both a player and an individual, bringing her jovial and free-spirited personality to the game while also embracing her physical side, which she refers to as her “Nigerian side.”
“As much as I love playing football, I like to play for a purpose and a reason. I know the impact I can have by delving into my heritage more and representing the people I am always familiar with”.
Plumptre began exploring her Nigerian heritage during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Discussing her background with her sister, who identifies as black while Plumptre identifies as mixed heritage, she felt compelled to connect with her roots.
“Even though we have the same dad, we both have a Nigerian dad and a white mum, she looks a little different to me and has experienced things in school that I never had,” she says. “Most people just assume that I’m white. I identify as being mixed heritage. But my sister … she identifies as being black.”
As a result, Plumptre switched her international allegiance from England to Nigeria, aiming to experience the culture and educate her sister about their heritage.
She says: “That’s where I’m like: ‘OK, Nigeria would be good for me to do because then I can experience the culture more, I can come back and teach her about our heritage.’ That was the trigger for me.”
Ashleigh Plumptre experienced a sense of belonging when facing her former teammates during the Women's World Cup. She faced a unique encounter with her former teammates in the last-16 match in Australia. Plumptre expressed her anticipation of this matchup even before the tournament, and when she saw that England was their opponent, she couldn't help but smile.
🇳🇬 Ashleigh Plumptre, Super Falcons Defender pic.twitter.com/ZpreRNrIPG
— COMMON PERSON 🇬🇭🇧🇫🇨🇮🇹🇬 (@SmartAtuadi) February 19, 2022
Ashleigh Plumptre career honours
Throughout her career, Plumptre has achieved several notable honours. While playing for Notts County, she was a Women's FA Cup runner-up in 2015 and a FA Women's League Cup runner-up in the same year.
During her time at the University of Southern California, she won the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship in 2016.
In 2019, with LA Galaxy OC, Plumptre claimed the UWS Championship. More recently, she contributed to Leicester City's success, helping them win the FA Women's Championship in the 2020-21 season.
Ashleigh Plumptre net worth
With her impressive performances on the field and her dedication to making a difference both as a player and as an individual, Ashleigh Megan Plumptre has become a highly respected figure in the world of women's football.
Her net worth is estimated to be $1.5 million, primarily derived from her appearances as a professional footballer.
As she continues to make strides in her career, Plumptre's impact both on and off the field is sure to leave a lasting legacy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ashleigh Plumptre's Family
Why is Ashleigh Plumptre playing for Nigeria?
Ashleigh Plumptre is playing for Nigeria Super Falcons because her paternal grandfather was from Lagos.
Where was Ashleigh Plumptre born?
Ashleigh Plumptre was born in Leicester, England.
Who is Ashleigh Plumptre father?
Nigeria-born Christopher Plumptre is Ashleigh Plumptre's father.
Where is Ashleigh Plumptre from?
Ashleigh Plumptre is from Leicester, England, but plays for Nigeria Super Falcons.
What is Ashleigh Plumptre's new club?
Ashleigh Plumptre's new club is Al-Ittihad.
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago