Alisha Lehmann made her long-awaited return to English football after coming on as a substitute for Leicester City in their Women’s Super League defeat to West Ham.
The forward, often dubbed the ‘world’s sexiest footballer’, only signed for the Foxes on Thursday but was put straight into their squad for the match on Sunday afternoon.
Lehmann, 27, had been playing her football recently for Italian side Como but is back in England having had previous spells at West Ham, Everton (on loan) and Aston Villa.
The Swiss star was brought on after 65 minutes with the Foxes 2-0 down to Rita Guarino’s Hammers and, despite Leicester pulling one back, Lehmann fell to defeat on her first game back in the WSL.
Many of the Foxes support, however, stayed back at the end of the tie to pose for selfies with the 27-year-old.
The defeat leaves Leicester with just nine points from 13 games, while it lifted West Ham from the foot of the WSL table. Lehmann will be desperate to help her new side get points on the board quickly but they face in-form Arsenal next Saturday.
Alisha Lehmann came on as a substitute for Leicester City in their WSL defeat to West Ham
Lehmann signed for the Foxes on Thursday and was put straight into their squad for the match
The forward started the match on the bench on Sunday but was brought on after 65 minutes
Her return to English football coincides with Love Island star Montel McKenzie announcing their relationship on social media. She had previously dated Brazilian footballer Douglas Luiz.
Lehmann manages a six-a-side team – alongside Love Island host Maya Jama for KSI’s Baller League – for which McKenzie plays.
And launching their public romance on Wednesday evening, McKenzie shared a birthday tribute to his girlfriend with a slew of snaps.
In the pictures, the couple were seen enjoying a sun-soaked trip to a mystery location and looked smitten as they shared a passionate kiss.
‘Happy Birthday baby,’ McKenzie captioned the post, in which the pair could be seen beaming at each other.
They have been dating since working together in the Baller League, with a source telling The Sun: ‘It hasn’t been much of a secret within the Baller League set up.
‘They hit it off straight away have been going on dates afterwards. Alisha has been flying him to her Como apartment for sneaky weekend breaks for a while now, I don’t think Montel could believe his luck.’
It is Lehmann’s first public relationship after splitting with on-loan Nottingham Forest midfielder Luiz.
Love Island star Montel McKenzie revealed earlier this week that he is now dating Lehmann
Going public with the romance, McKenzie shared a sweet birthday tribute to his girlfriend
Lehmann previously dated Brazilian Douglas Luiz after meeting during their time at Aston Villa
The couple were together during their time playing for the respective women’s and men’s teams at Aston Villa.
After breaking up in 2022, they rekindled their romance at the start of 2024, with both players signing a deal to move to Juventus ahead of the 2024-25 season.
While living in Turin their home was targeted by robbers – who were said to have snatched 11 watches belonging to Luiz as well as Lehmann’s lavish diamond necklaces.
Lehmann then moved to a house near the idyllic Lake Como after moving to the Italian club, but she was also the victim of a robbery at her new abode.
She struggled at the Serie A Women’s club on the pitch too, starting just three games after signing last August.
Upon signing for Leicester, she called the return to English football a ‘homecoming’.
‘It feels amazing and I’m so happy to be here,’ she said. ‘It feels like a homecoming, coming back to England, and I’m really happy.
‘Leicester is an amazing club. I’ve seen the training ground and, of course, the stadium. They want to push women’s football forward.’
