The midfielder is a product of the Women’s Super League club’s academy and made her debut at only 18 years old in a League Cup fixture, before making her maiden WSL appearance just a year later against West Ham United.
Last season saw the 20-year-old midfielder make 17 appearances as the Seagulls finished 11th and avoided relegation to the Women’s Championship, but Bance is hoping that she will be able to further her development after making the switch to Rangers.
✍️ Rangers Football Club are delighted to announce the signing of Libby Bance from Brighton & Hove Albion on a season-long loan deal, subject to international clearance.
✨ Welcome to Rangers, Libby!
— Rangers Women (@RangersWFC) September 14, 2023
Speaking to the Rangers’ official website on deadline day (14 September), she said: “It feels really amazing, I got here and had a tour of the facilities and they are top-notch, and I have met some of the girls and they all seem lovely too.
“I spoke to Jo [Foster] and I think almost immediately I had a gut feeling that this was the right decision for me. I just felt like it is a really great opportunity for me this season, to get more minutes and have a brand new experience.”
Extra addition
Many Brighton fans viewed Bance as one of their most improved players last season, having started to find her feet in senior football with more consistent appearances, but the switch to Glasgow may afford her the chance to kick on in her development and compete for trophies.
From a Rangers’ perspective, this represents an exciting addition to their ranks as, at only 20 years old, the midfielder still has plenty to prove to the footballing world, while also bringing with her experience of the Women’s Super League, one of the most competitive divisions in the world.
Having played one game more than Celtic at the time of writing, Jo Foster’s team top the Scottish Premier League and with the intense fixture schedule that has seen the Light Blues playing three times a week, they’ll need the extra legs, especially in midfield.
With five additions made throughout the summer, it feels as though Foster has been able to slowly build a team in her image and it feels as though Rangers have a squad capable of competing for silverware once again this season.