WOMEN SIGNING: Full-back Locke Makes Loan Switch to the Ewes

Derby County Women have secured the services of defender Ebonie Locke on loan from Women's Super League 2 side Birmingham City.

The 18-year-old has joined the Ewes until the end of the 2025/26 campaign and will add defensive depth to Head Coach Sam Griffiths’ ranks.

Locke, a full-back by trade, made her first-team debut for Birmingham last season in the Women’s League Cup against Leicester City.

The defender put pen to paper on her first professional deal with Blues in July 2025. She is a product of the Blues’ Academy, having first joined the Midlands outfit in 2016 at Under-10s level.

Locke has progressed through the age groups and impressed last season, lifting the PGA Cup trophy and winning Player of the Season for the Under-21s in the 2024/25 campaign.

This success saw her train with the first team on several occasions, as well as featuring in the matchday squad against London City Lionesses, Durham Cestria, Portsmouth and Charlton Athletic in Women's Super League 2 last term.

After a break from playing over the Christmas period, Derby return to action in the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division this Sunday with an away clash against Loughborough Lightning (2pm kick-off).

The Ewes' newest recruit will be eligible to feature for Griffiths' side at Holywell Sports Complex in their first fixture of 2026.

“I'm excited for this new challenge,” Locke said after completing the loan move to Derby. “I’m ready to test myself and express myself at a new level in Tier 3.

“Hopefully, I can bring something different to the team here and have an impact to help us climb our way up the table in the second half of the season.

“I'm a full-back who loves to join the attack. I also love the thrill of a 1v1 in defence and the battle of the game. I can’t wait to get started and go out to fight for this team.”