Everton sign Iceland international goalkeeper Cecilía Rán Rúnarsdóttir

Everton Women have signed Iceland goalkeeper Cecilía Rán Rúnarsdóttir. The sides agreed to a three-year deal that runs through the end of June 2024. The 18-year-old shot-stopper joins from Swedish club KIF Örebro. Despite signing for Everton, Rúnarsdóttir will remain on loan with KIF for the rest of this year before moving to Merseyside in January 2022.

Rúnarsdóttir, who is just a couple of weeks removed from her 18th birthday, has already been capped three times by Iceland. She made her debut in March 2020, starting in net during a 1-0 win over Northern Ireland. She is also Iceland’s youngest-ever goalkeeper.

“It’s amazing to sign for Everton,” Rúnarsdóttir told evertontv. “Everton is a big club and you can see with the players they are signing that they are building big. I’m just so thankful I’m going to be a part of it. Obviously, I’m very young, but I have a lot of experience playing senior football, which helps.”

Rúnarsdóttir started in Icelandic club UMF Afturelding’s academy before breaking into the first team at 15 years old. She helped her side win the third division title before moving to Fylkir for the following two seasons. Rúnarsdóttir has been with KIF Örebro since March 2020.

After 17 moves — seven transfers in and 10 out — over the course of the summer window, Head Coach Willie Kirk concludes a hectic three months with a future project in goal.

“We first identified Cecilia 18 months ago as a long-term target and have kept tabs with her development ever since,” Kirk said. “We felt now was the right time to make a long-term commitment to her and I’m delighted it’s been agreed.”

Rúnarsdóttir’s potential made her an appealing target for the Scot and his coaching staff.

“Cecilia has huge potential, and I’m excited about playing our part in that,” he said. “We are pleased she will be continuing her football there, and we think it’s a good club for her to keep developing and take the next step as she prepares herself for WSL football.”