Former Chelsea star Sophie Ingle returns to Bristol City

Sophie Ingle has signed for Women’s Super League 2 side Bristol City after leaving Chelsea earlier this summer.

Bristol have confirmed the move for the former Wales captain, 11 years after she first joined the club.

It comes after Wales manager Rhian Wilkinson exclusively told SheKicks in an interview that Ingle had a “few options on the table”.

Ingle spent two seasons at the club when they played in the English top-flight, before joining Liverpool and later Chelsea.

She had a trophy-laden seven-year stint at Chelsea, winning five WSL titles, three Women’s FA Cups and two League Cups.

The 33-year-old had not played for Chelsea since September after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury. After a hard-fought journey she made the Wales squad just in time for their first-ever major international tournament at Euro 2025.

However, she only played three minutes at the tournament after coming on as a late substitute against France.

She was an unused substitute against the Netherlands and England – who went on to win the tournament in Switzerland.

The Lionesses are second-favourites with betting sites to win Euro 2029.

📣 Five-time Barclays Women’s Super League title-winner Sophie Ingle has returned to #BristolCity.

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— Bristol City Women (@bristolcitywfc) August 8, 2025

Sophie Ingle had a few options on the table

Sophie Ingle’s expected return to Bristol City comes at a time when she was looking for a new club after her contract with Chelsea expired.

Wales manager Rhian Wilkinson praised Ingle in an interview with SheKicks, and said that the midfielder had a “few options on the table”.

She said: “She worked so hard to get healthy. That was very impressive and she was right on the cusp of what she can deliver.

“It (the injury) was unfortunate for us, she is a player that any coach would want on the team.

“I know she has got a few options on the table, she’s a smart young lady, she will take her time and choose the right place for herself.

“I am excited for her this next chapter at the back end of her career, where she wants to go and keep pushing herself and keeping her at the level she wants to be at.”

What Sophie Ingle said after completing Bristol City return

Sophie Ingle said that she spoke to Bristol City head coach Charlotte Healy about making a return to the club.

She told the club’s website: “After speaking to Charlotte and everything that the club offers both on and off the pitch, it felt like a good fit. The club wants to get promoted and I love winning.

“It is going to be tough in this league, but I want to get back playing to the best I can and offer as much as I can for this team.”

Healy added: “Sophie has an affinity to Bristol City and understands the history of this fantastic club.

“She is a world class player whose talent, experience and leadership will help project this club to where we want to be.”

When could Sophie Ingle make her Bristol City return?

The signing of Sophie Ingle is a huge positive for Bristol City in terms of their Women’s Super League 2 ambitions.

Due to the expansion of the WSL to 14 teams, as many as three teams could be promoted to the top-flight.

Bristol City start their season against one of the favourites to win the league, Birmingham City, on September 7th.

Their opening month of fixtures also includes clashes with Portsmouth, Southampton and Nottingham Forest.

Bristol are next in action on August 16th with a pre-season friendly against the London City Lionesses.