Birmingham City has completed the signing of French youth international Chancelle Effa Effa from Le Havre. The reigning WSL 2 champions reportedly paid just over £100,000 for the 19-year-old striker.

Effa Effa rose through Le Havre’s academy and made her senior debut at the age of 15. She played a crucial role in helping the club return to the French top flight during her breakthrough season and signed a professional contract in December 2022.

The striker has represented France at every youth level, from the U16s to the U23s, and had one year remaining on her contract with Le Havre. “I am very happy to be joining Birmingham City – such a historic club – and experience the Women’s Super League,” Effa Effa expressed. “From my very first conversations with the club, I was won over by the project. I sensed a genuine desire to build something strong, with great ambition. I can’t wait to start this new adventure.”

Effa Effa contributed to France securing the Women’s U17 European title in 2023 and later reached the U19 European final two years after. She has netted 17 goals in 28 appearances for France’s youth teams.

Manager Amy Merricks stated, “Chancelle is a player we’ve been tracking for some time, and we’re delighted to bring her to Birmingham City. She’s an exciting young forward with huge potential, who has already gained valuable experience in the French top flight and has consistently performed for France at youth international level. We’re looking forward to helping her continue her development and seeing the impact she can make in a Blues shirt.”

Beard and Chapman Join Coaching Staff

On the same day, Birmingham City announced the appointments of Mark Beard as assistant head coach and Ben Chapman as goalkeeping coach. Beard played over 300 games at various clubs, including Millwall and Sheffield United, before retiring in 2011. He has since coached at multiple levels with tenures at Brighton and Hull City.

Beard’s brother, Matt, previously led Liverpool to consecutive WSL titles in 2013 and 2014, but he died last year aged 47.

Chapman previously worked with Manchester United, Stoke City, and the Wales national team, and he was a professional cricketer before transitioning to coaching.

Hope Powell, Birmingham’s director of women’s football, stated, “We’re really delighted to have Ben and Mark with us. They are two excellent additions, and their knowledge and understanding of the women’s game can only hold us in good stead for now and in the future. Alongside Amy and Jay [Bradford-Ogle], we’ve now got a really strong coaching group in place. They all bring different strengths and experiences.”

Birmingham City have signed France youth international Chancelle Effa Effa from Le Havre.

It is understood the Blues, who won the WSL 2 title last season, paid just over £100,000 for the 19-year-old striker.

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She progressed from Le Havre’s academy and made her debut for the senior team at the age of 15.

Effa Effa helped the club secure promotion back to the French top flight in her breakthrough season and signed a professional contract in December 2022.

The striker, who has represented France at every age group from the U16s through to the U23s, had a year remaining on her contract at Le Havre.

“I am very happy to be joining Birmingham City – such a historic club – and experience the Women’s Super League,” said Effa Effa.

“From my very first conversations with the club, I was won over by the project. I sensed a genuine desire to build something strong, with great ambition.

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“I can’t wait to start this new adventure.”

Effa Effa helped France lift the Women’s U17s European title in 2023 before reaching the Women’s U19s European final two years later.

In total, she has scored 17 goals in 28 appearances for France’s age groups.

“Chancelle is a player we’ve been tracking for some time and we’re delighted to bring her to Birmingham City,” said manager Amy Merricks.

“She’s an exciting young forward with huge potential, who has already gained valuable experience in the French top flight and has consistently performed for France at youth international level.

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“We’re looking forward to helping her continue her development and seeing the impact she can make in a Blues shirt.”

Beard and Chapman join staff

Earlier on Thursday, Birmingham City confirmed the appointments of Mark Beard as assistant head coach and Ben Chapman as goalkeeping coach.

Beard had a playing career that included more than 300 appearances at a number of clubs including Millwall and Sheffield United.

He retired in 2011 and has coached at various levels with spells at Brighton and Hull City.

Beard’s brother Matt led Liverpool to successive WSL titles in 2013 and 2014 but died last year aged 47.

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Chapman was previously at Manchester United, Stoke City and Wales and was a professional cricketer before he went into coaching.

Birmingham’s director of women’s football Hope Powell said: “We’re really delighted to have Ben and Mark with us.

“They are two excellent additions and their knowledge and understanding of the women’s game can only hold us in good stead for now and in the future.

“Alongside Amy and Jay [Bradford-Ogle], we’ve now got a really strong coaching group in place. They all bring different strengths and experiences.”

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