Sports

Leanne Kiernan set for Newcastle switch after 5 years at Liverpool Women

Rush The Kop · Jul 22, 2026 12:35 · 3 min read

Leanne Kiernan set for Newcastle switch after 5 years at Liverpool Women — Liverpool Women Training Session | Nick Taylor/GettyImages

Leanne Kiernan is in advanced talks over a permanent transfer to Newcastle United after five years and 76 appearances with Liverpool FC Women.

Liverpool FC Women forward Leanne Kiernan is in advanced talks over a permanent transfer to Newcastle United according to reports via the BBC, bringing an end to her five-year stay on Merseyside.

The 27-year-old Republic of Ireland international spent the second half of last season on loan at Women’s Super League 2 (WSL 2) side Nottingham Forest. However, with over a year remaining on her Reds contract, fellow second-tier side Newcastle are expected to pay a transfer fee to secure her services permanently as they continue their ambitious push towards the top flight.

Kiernan's impending exit marks another significant shift for LFC Women as the squad continues its evolution under manager Gareth Taylor.

A mainstay through the highs and lows

For supporters who have followed the women’s team closely through recent years, Kiernan’s departure brings a heavy dose of nostalgia mixed with genuine gratitude.

Joined from West Ham in the summer of 2021 when the Reds were fighting to get out of the Championship, Kiernan was the focal point of the attack. Her 14 goals in 2021/22 proved decisive in securing the title and firing Liverpool back into the WSL where they belonged.

Though a serious ankle injury on the opening weekend of the 2022/23 campaign kept her out for months, her work rate, resilience, and connection with the fans never wavered.

Across 76 appearances in all competitions, she netted 23 goals putting her second only to Natasha Dowie in Liverpool’s all-time WSL-era scoring charts.

Speaking after committing her future to the club back in August 2025, Kiernan summed up what the city and the fanbase meant to her:

"It's amazing, for sure. Liverpool is home for me, I'm just really enjoying myself here. I love the club, I love the fans, I love the people. We are very similar, the Irish and the Scousers, and I really feel at home here."

The expected departure comes on the heels of a testing 2025/26 Barclays WSL season for the Women side, where the team finished 11th from the 12 teams in the league on 17 points.

It was a difficult campaign marked by transitions on and off the pitch, making squad roster rotation and rebuilding top priorities entering the summer window.

Kiernan is far from the only familiar face heading through the exit doors at St Helens, with several high-profile departures already confirmed.

Experienced defender Gemma Evans has departed to join WSL 2 side Newcastle United, while club icon Gemma Bonner and striker Martha Thomas also exited at the end of their respective contracts. Goalkeeper Rafaela Borggräfe completed a season-long loan move to Bayer Leverkusen, and loan additions Jennifer Falk and Risa Shimizu both returned to their parent clubs.

Following the squad adjustments after last season, manager Gareth Taylor has begun reshaping his forward line. Initial minutes under Taylor's system proved hard to come by for Kiernan, who started just once in the WSL prior to her January loan move to WSL 2 side Nottingham Forest.

With Liverpool adding high-profile attacking options like Germany international Vivien Endemann from Wolfsburg, as well as English full-back Mari Ward and Feyenoord’s Mao Itamura, competition for places has become more difficult.

Rebuilding for promotion on Tyneside

Should the transfer to Newcastle be completed, Kiernan won't be entering a dressing room of strangers in the North East. She will link up with former Liverpool teammate Gemma Evans, as mentioned above she also made the move to WSL 2 rival Newcastle this summer.

Newcastle have shown clear intent in the market as they aim for top-flight promotion. Adding an experienced international with 38 caps for the Republic of Ireland and a proven track record of winning second-tier silverware could be a key addition to their setup.

For Liverpool fans, seeing a player who gave everything for the badge move on is never easy. But after 76 games, crucial goals, and undeniable graft through the club's hardest rebuilding years, Kiernan leaves with the utmost respect of the Liverpool fanbase.