Birmingham Sign Man Utd Stars Turner and Naalsund: Birmingham 2026

Key Points

• Double Signing Confirmed: Birmingham City Women have completed the double signing of defender Millie Turner and midfielder Lisa Naalsund from Manchester United.
• Three-Year Agreements: Both players have committed their futures to the Blues, signing three-year contracts that run until the summer of 2029.
• Significant Transfer Fees: The transfers involve undisclosed individual six-figure fees paid to Manchester United to secure the dual departures.
• Personal Milestone: Turner and Naalsund, who announced their personal engagement in June 2026, make the move together to the West Midlands.
• WSL Return Preparedness: The acquisitions mark a major statement of intent for newly promoted Birmingham City as they prepare for life back in the Women’s Super League (WSL) following their WSL 2 (Championship) title triumph last season.
• End of an Era: Turner departs Manchester United as their second-highest all-time appearance holder with 189 appearances, second only to England midfielder Ella Toone.
• Midfield Rejuvenation: Norway international Naalsund exits Old Trafford despite having her contract extension clause triggered by United in January.
• Squad Reinvestment Planned: United’s hierarchy intends to fully reinvest the funds generated from these significant player sales back into Marc Skinner’s squad before the transfer window closes on 3 September 2026.

Birmingham (Birmingham Express) July 15, 2026 – In a major double transfer coup that reshapes the landscape of the upcoming Women’s Super League (WSL) season, newly promoted Birmingham City have completed the permanent signings of central defender Millie Turner and Norwegian international midfielder Lisa Naalsund from Manchester United. The highly anticipated transfers, which were finalized for individual six-figure fees, represent a massive statement of ambition by the Blues as they prepare to return to the top flight of English women’s football following a five-year absence. Both players, who announced their engagement to one another just last month, have committed to three-year deals at St Andrew’s, tying them to the club until 2029. The double swoop marks the end of Turner’s historic eight-year association with Manchester United, whilst Naalsund departs after three and a half years in the North West.

How Did Birmingham City Pull Off This Double WSL Transfer Coup?

As reported by senior journalist Joe Bradshaw and women’s football news reporter Emma Sanders of BBC Sport, Birmingham City moved swiftly to secure both targets as manager Amy Merricks shapes her squad for the rigours of top-flight football. The Blues returned to the WSL in style after capturing the WSL 2 (Championship) league title last term, ending a painful five-year hiatus from the country’s elite division.

The double deal represents not only a significant financial outlay in modern women’s football—with both players commanding healthy six-figure sums—but also a logistical masterstroke. By signing both Turner and Naalsund, who are partners off the pitch, Birmingham City presented a highly cohesive and attractive family package that appealed to both athletes. According to further reporting by Aiden Daries of Centre Devils (via Yardbarker), the announcements were made on the same day, immediately lifting expectations around the West Midlands club.

What Does Millie Turner’s Departure Mean for Manchester United?

The End of an Eight-Year Legacy

As detailed by club historians and journalists, Millie Turner was one of the foundational pillars of the modern Manchester United Women’s setup. Having joined the Red Devils upon their professional reformation back in 2018, the 30-year-old center-back helped guide the team from the second tier into the WSL during their debut campaign.

Over her eight years at the club, Turner amassed a staggering 189 appearances, scoring 12 goals across all competitions. In Manchester United’s history books, her appearance tally is surpassed only by midfield superstar Ella Toone. She was also instrumental in delivering the club’s first major piece of silverware—the Adobe Women’s FA Cup in 2024—and securing their inaugural qualification for the UEFA Women’s Champions League group stages.

However, her playing time dwindled during the 2025–26 campaign, where she registered only six starts in the league under manager Marc Skinner. In an official statement published on the club’s website, Manchester United’s Director of Women’s Football, Matt Johnson, paid a warm tribute to the departing defender:

“Millie’s contribution to Manchester United Women has been immense. She is a great professional and a fantastic leader and has played a vital role in everything we have achieved throughout the last eight years. It is important that she now has the opportunity to go and enjoy more regular game time at this stage of her career. However, her impact at our club will continue long after she has departed, with her unique character having played a key role in shaping the culture of our group.”

Why Did Millie Turner Choose to Join Birmingham City’s New Project?

A Fresh Challenge Under Amy Merricks

Millie Turner’s arrival at Birmingham City brings elite-level experience, standard-setting leadership, and a proven winning mentality to a newly promoted squad. Having represented England at senior level with two caps, the Wilmslow-born defender is eager to write a new chapter.

In her first official interview with Birmingham City’s media channels, Turner expressed her unbridled optimism about the move:

“This is where I want to be. It’s an exciting project and I think there’s no ceiling to what we can achieve here.”

Birmingham City manager Amy Merricks was equally enthusiastic about securing a player of Turner’s calibre, emphasizing that her impact will extend far beyond her on-pitch performance. As quoted by BBC Sport, Merricks stated:

“She’s someone who brings a lot of experience and quality at the highest level, but just as importantly, she’s a brilliant character and a real leader. We know the standards she will set every day that will have a really positive impact on this group.”

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Why Did Lisa Naalsund Decide to Leave Old Trafford?

The Midfielder’s Search for the “Right Feeling”

For Lisa Naalsund, the transfer represents a calculated step towards a project where she feels highly valued and energized. The 31-year-old Norwegian midfielder, who has accumulated 39 caps for her country, joined Manchester United from Brann in January 2023. She went on to make 74 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring eight goals.

Naalsund was a regular fixture in the United squad last season, making 34 appearances across all competitions, though 16 of those came from the substitutes’ bench. Interestingly, Manchester United had sought to protect her transfer value by triggering a one-year extension clause in her contract back in January 2026, which initially tied her to Old Trafford until June 2027. This contract status meant Birmingham City had to negotiate a substantial, undisclosed fee to pry her away.

As reported by Aiden Daries of Centre Devils, Naalsund reflected honestly on the internal process behind her decision to drop down and join the newly promoted side:

“When I had the chats with the club, they just gave me instantly a very good feeling about it. When you’re debating which club to go to, it’s always that feeling in your stomach, and that just decides where you go. This was the place that just excited me the most and the people were really nice. I think it’s a really good project here, coming up to the WSL, and I feel like the future here can be quite bright. I’m just very excited to be a part of it.”

What Qualities Does Lisa Naalsund Bring to the Blues’ Midfield?

Experience, Technical Mastery, and Tactical Maturity

Prior to her move to England, Naalsund established herself as a serial winner in her native Norway, securing back-to-back Toppserien league titles with Brann. Her addition to the Birmingham midfield gives Amy Merricks a tactically disciplined, technically gifted distributor who understands the physical demands of English football.

Expressing her delight at securing the midfielder, Merricks told the club’s official media:

“Lisa is a player who brings a huge amount of quality and experience to our squad. She has proven herself at the highest level in the WSL, enjoyed success throughout her career in Norway and has represented her country on the international stage for a number of years. She understands what it takes to compete at the top level and we’re looking forward to welcoming her into the group.”

How Will Manchester United Reinvest the Six-Figure Windfall?

Marc Skinner’s Transfer Strategy Under Scrutiny

The departures of Turner and Naalsund are part of a broader summer of transition for Manchester United Women. According to BBC Sport’s Emma Sanders, United’s hierarchy has presided over a relatively quiet transfer window so far. This slow movement has reportedly caused some apprehension among the fan base, particularly given the departures of other experienced squad members, such as Leah Galton.

However, sources close to the club indicate that the funds generated from these two high-profile sales will be directly reinvested into the first-team squad. As Sanders reported on social media:

“Manchester United have had a quiet transfer window so far but club sources suggest money from sales will be reinvested into the squad so we’ll have to wait and see. The window is open until 3 September so a looooong way to go yet.”

While manager Marc Skinner has previously made no secret of his desire for heavier investment to compete with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City, and Arsenal, United’s board remains committed to a self-sustaining financial model. With several weeks remaining before the transfer deadline, fans will be watching closely to see how the club replaces the leadership of Turner and the tactical versatility of Naalsund.

Meanwhile, for Birmingham City, the dual acquisition represents a monumental milestone in their modern history. By pairing a local legend of the WSL with an experienced international midfielder, the Blues have signaled to their top-flight rivals that they are not returning to the division merely to make up the numbers.