Aston Villa Women have officially confirmed the signing of 24-year-old French defender Océane Deslandes, following a club statement released earlier today. The announcement marks the latest addition to Villa’s squad as preparations continue ahead of the upcoming Barclays Women’s Super League (WSL) season.
Deslandes arrives at Villa Park after departing Montpellier HSC, where her contract concluded at the end of the 2024–25 season. During her time with the French top-flight club, she spent three productive years, contributing to consistent top-half finishes in France’s Arkema Première Ligue. Her performances with Montpellier, known in France as La Paillade, helped solidify their reputation as one of the league’s most competitive teams.
Before her spell with Montpellier, Deslandes played for Stade de Reims, another club in the French women’s football system. Her steady development at both clubs has shaped her into a technically gifted and tactically aware defender, characteristics that will now be on display in England’s top tier.
Internationally, Deslandes has been capped multiple times for France at the youth level, featuring in various age groups. While she has yet to earn a call-up to the senior national team, her growth and new challenge in the Women’s Super League could be the platform she needs to further elevate her profile and break into the full French squad.
Upon signing for the Villans, Deslandes shared her enthusiasm and pride in joining the Birmingham-based club. “I came from France where football is in our blood and defending is an art,” she remarked. “I read the game like a story; each move, each movement measured and made mine. Now, I wear these colours with pride, with purpose—ready to write a new chapter.”
Her arrival marks the fifth signing of the summer for head coach Natalia Arroyo, who is overseeing a significant overhaul of the squad as Aston Villa aim to improve upon their performances from last season. Arroyo, who took charge earlier this year, has been proactive in strengthening every department of the team, and Deslandes’ signing is seen as a key step in bolstering the defensive line.
Deslandes brings a mixture of technical ability, positional intelligence, and a calm presence at the back. Known for her composure under pressure and ability to read attacking plays before they unfold, she is expected to compete for a starting role in the backline and offer tactical flexibility in Arroyo’s system.
The club is not expected to stop here, with speculation suggesting more signings could be in the pipeline as the WSL season opener in September approaches. With ambitions of climbing higher in the standings and challenging the league’s traditional powerhouses, Villa appears intent on building a squad that can compete with the best.
Fans have taken to social media to welcome Deslandes, praising the club’s decision to bring in a young and experienced defender from a respected European league. Many supporters see the move as a sign of the club’s growing ambition and commitment to strengthening the women’s side.
With a fresh chapter awaiting both player and club, Deslandes’ journey in England promises to be one to watch. Her move is another sign of the increasing international presence within the WSL, as more top talents from across Europe seek to test themselves in what many consider the most competitive women’s football league in the world.
Aston Villa’s investment in quality and depth suggests that they are serious about pushing for a stronger league finish in the 2025–26 season. The inclusion of a composed and cultured defender like Deslandes only enhances their prospects, especially in high-stakes matches where defensive organization and discipline are crucial.
As September nears and preseason preparations intensify, all eyes will be on Natalia Arroyo’s side to see how this revamped squad performs. For Deslandes, the transition from the French league to the English game will pose new challenges, but her experience, mindset, and passion for defending indicate she’s ready for the next stage of her career.
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