Godwin ObajeEverton Women Confirm Trio of Departures Ahead of Summer Rebuild
Everton Women have confirmed that Justine Vanhaevermaet, Heather Payne, and Sara Holmgaard will all leave the club when their contracts expire at the end of June, in the latest wave of departures from Walton Hall Park.
The news, which follows a broader reshuffle across both Everton’s men’s and women’s squads, comes as manager Brian Sorensen begins a summer overhaul aimed at shaping a more dynamic and youthful squad for the 2025/26 campaign.
While the exits of experienced players like Vanhaevermaet and Payne may have been expected, the decision to part ways with Holmgaard has raised eyebrows among supporters, given the Dane’s strong performances last season and her close on-pitch connection with her twin sister, Karen.
Holmgaard, who joined the Toffees alongside her sister in August 2022, initially spent time out on loan before making her debut in January 2023. Since then, she has made the left-back role her own. In the 2024/25 Women’s Super League season, she featured in 19 league matches, scoring three goals and assisting four more — a standout contribution from defence that made her a key figure in Sorensen’s squad.
Vanhaevermaet, meanwhile, signed a two-year deal with Everton in the summer of 2023 and featured in all but one league match last term. The 33-year-old Belgian showcased her versatility by playing both in central defence and midfield, and she notably opened the scoring in Everton’s 3-0 win over Crystal Palace. However, with the emergence of academy talent such as Issy Hobson, her minutes on the pitch were likely to diminish — a factor both she and the coaching staff are understood to have considered in reaching the decision.
Speaking on her departure, Vanhaevermaet said little publicly, but her influence during a transitional campaign was clear. Despite her brief stay on Merseyside, her professionalism and adaptability were valued throughout.
Irish international Heather Payne also departs following two seasons at the club. The 25-year-old arrived from the American college system in the same transfer window as Vanhaevermaet and played a versatile role for Sorensen. While her adaptability proved useful, it also arguably prevented her from nailing down a starting spot in a preferred position. Her only goal of the 2024/25 campaign came in the FA Cup, as Everton defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 to progress to the fifth round.
Payne’s departure, along with those of Vanhaevermaet and Holmgaard, clears the path for Sorensen to introduce new faces ahead of the new season. Backed by the Friedkin Group’s investment — which was evident during the January window when six new signings were brought in — the manager is expected to act decisively in the market once again.
Everton’s rebuild will now focus on adding fresh energy, developing homegrown prospects, and reinforcing key areas, particularly in midfield and defence. With the transfer window open, supporters can expect incoming business in the coming weeks as preparations for the 2025/26 season gather pace.
Holmgaard’s departure may leave a particularly noticeable gap, but as Everton Women turn a new page, the message is clear: evolution is underway.
Godwin Obaje
