Lena Petermann will leave Leicester City Women this summer and join Werder Bremen on a free transfer following the expiry of her contract at the King Power Stadium.
Petermann did not play a single match all season for City with the German one of many attackers affected by injury.
And now she won’t play for City again, with a move back to her homeland announced.
Joining City in the summer of 2023, Petermann was the club’s first-choice striker in her maiden season, playing 20 of the club’s 22 WSL games and scoring five goals.
Injuring her knee on the pre-season trip to Australia, Petermann’s absence was one of the reasons City struggled so much in attack early in the campaign.
Her tally will end at five after she signed for Werder Bremen, who finished seventh of 12 in the Frauen-Bundesliga this term.
Reflecting on her season, Petermann told her new club: “Of course, it's extremely bitter and not easy when you don't even play during the season.
“It's been a tough time, but I'm someone who doesn't give up easily and doesn't let myself get down easily. I have good people around me who support me during this tough time.
“But I'm on the right track to be back on the pitch soon. My rehab is going really well. I'll be able to attack again in a few weeks.”
Torres looks to be departing too
There are expected plenty of announcements over players’ futures in the next few weeks, and whether those out of contract will get new deals or will be saying their goodbyes.
There’s been no announcement yet, but loan striker Karla Torres has hinted she won’t be sticking around.
The Colombian, who joined on loan from Independiente Santa Fe in January, made three WSL appearances for a total of 32 minutes of pitch-time, the 18-year-old unable to force her way properly in to Amandine Miquel’s plans.
Writing on social media following the end of the season, Torres said: “Thank you for believing, it was a pleasure.”
‘Big plans’ for next season
Once it’s known who is staying put, Miquel can then get down to business with her “big plans” for the transfer market.
Petermann’s departure in particular should mean at least one new forward comes in, but it’s likely that every department will need strengthening to some degree.
City just about managed to keep their run going of improving their points tally every season, but Miquel was not wholly satisfied with the level of improvement, and so it seems she’ll be as busy as ever even without matches to prepare for.
“I have big plans,” she told BBC Radio Leicester. “I will be staying in Belvoir Drive and working to recruit the best players so we are in the best position when we come back.”
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