Nottingham Forest's WSL ambitions hinge on new defender Hannah Coan

Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of Portsmouth defender Hannah Coan on a free transfer. The move was announced via an official club press release from Nottingham Forest earlier this afternoon.

Coan will officially join Nottingham Forest on 1 July 2026 when her contract with Portsmouth ends. She has signed a two-year deal at The City Ground.

Coan came through the Everton youth ranks before establishing herself at senior level with Blackburn Rovers. She joined Portsmouth in summer 2024 and helped them compete in Barclays WSL2.

Coan appeared in all 22 of Portsmouth’s fixtures in this season’s Barclays WSL2. She is Nottingham Forest’s second signing of the summer transfer window.

Hannah Coan said “I’m really excited to be here, it’s a massive club with big ambitions and after listening to what the Club wants to achieve this year, it really aligned with me.” She added that the club wants to climb as high as possible in the table and win as many games as possible.

Coan aims to settle quickly and hit the ground running with Nottingham Forest. The defender’s arrival adds depth to Forest’s back line as they target a higher finish in the WSL.