Having been appointed full time manager, Scott Phelan has wasted little time in ringing the changes at Everton Women as Katja Snoeijs, Emily Ramsey, Toni Payne, Kenzie Weir, Melissa Lawley and Elise Stenevik will leave the club upon the expiry of their contracts at the end of this month.
Laila Harbert has also returned to Arsenal following the conclusion of her loan spell with the club as Phelan, who was only confirmed as permanent a few days ago, sets about revamping his team ahead of next season.
Snoeijs joined Everton in July 2022 and notched her first goal for the Blues in December of that year against Tottenham Hotspur in a 3-0 victory.
But it was the Merseyside derby that truly endeared the Netherlands international to the Everton faithful, with three goals in three consecutive games against Liverpool, including a decisive spot-kick to seal another victory over the Reds in November 2024.
Joining in the same year as Snoeijs, Ramsey initially signed on loan from Manchester United before making the move permanent the following summer.
One of the group’s most popular characters in the changing room, ‘Rambo’ was usually second choice between the sticks to Courtney Brosnan, but the Republic of Ireland international has often credited the forming one of the WSL’s strongest ‘goalkeeper unions’ with bringing out the very best in her.
Nigeria forward Payne made the switch from Spanish club Sevilla to Merseyside, alongside Inma Gabarro, in July 2024 and lifted the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria during her time at Everton..
The pacy forward played over 40 games for the Toffees and her exciting style and hard working style made her a popular figure amongst players and fans alike.
22-year-old Weir signed her first professional contract with the Toffees in 2022 after making her senior debut in a win over Huddersfield Town in the Women’s FA Cup.
The Scottish star spent the second half of the 2025/26 season on loan at WSL2 side Ipswich Town and also received her first call-up to her nation’s senior side in April, before being included in the Tartan Army’s squad to face Israel in early June.
WSL stalwart Lawley made the switch across the park to Everton in July 2024 after the expiry of her contract with the Reds and marked her Walton Hall Park debut with a goal after her cross deflected off West Ham’s Camila Saez to seal a 1-1 draw.
The 32-year-old winger spent the first half of the 2025/26 season on loan with Burnley and helped the Clarets to the National League title, before her experience and guile proved useful to the Blues upon her return, particularly from the bench.
The versatile and experienced Stenevik became a Toffee in September 2022 after impressing in her native Norway and then Sweden.
The popular defender reached a half century of appearances for Everton in April 2025 and was on target against Aston Villa 11 months earlier.
Everyone at Royal Blue Mersey thanks the six departing stars for the contributions and wishes them every success, apart from if they play Everton Women.
