Wales' Ladd reaping rewards of Palace move

Hayley Ladd begins World Cup qualifying with Wales on Tuesday believing her move to Crystal Palace came at "the right time".

The 32-year-old joined WSL2 side Palace in January after limited opportunities with top-flight club Everton.

Ladd, who can operate in defence or midfield, links up with Wales for their opening qualifiers against Czech Republic and Montenegro having made a bright start to life with the Eagles.

She marked her debut by coming off the bench to score the winning goal against Sheffield United, a day after signing for the London club.

Ladd has since become a regular starter and has helped her new team to four wins in five league fixtures.

Ladd has praised the influence of Palace manager, former England international Jo Potter, who convinced her to make the switch from Merseyside.

"I played against her and you could see the calibre of player and her competitiveness and desire," said Ladd.

"That's important for me as a player, to feel I have that passion and energy from a manager.

"Having conversations with her when you're trying to make a decision about which club to go to, she was really composed and clear with what she wanted and closely aligned with what I was looking for in my next challenge."

Ladd's debut Palace goal was a spectacular one, with the former Manchester United player's free-kick nominated for goal of the month in WSL2.

It was a dream beginning to life at a new club, as Ladd's late strike secured a 1-0 win.

"I didn't start the game and just thought I'll be happy to get on the pitch at some point," said Ladd.

"I happened to get introduced at half-time and we had a free-kick in the 86th minute.

"Nobody fancied it, I thought I'll give it a crack and fortunately it went in. I couldn't believe it. I'm really thrilled to hit the ground running with Palace."

Head coach Rhian Wilkinson has been keen to ensure her players are getting regular game time at club level as she seeks to lead Wales to a first World Cup.

Having taken the plunge by joining Palace, Ladd feels in good shape as she prepares for a new qualifying campaign.

"Rhian always speaks to us and finding out how things are going club-wise," said 111-cap Ladd.

"She was careful not to put pressure on, but has said she wants people playing and being competitive within squads, which is totally understandable.

"I knew I had to do it for my own reasons, but off the back of that a big bonus is that I'm going into this Wales camp on a run of form and having those minutes under my belt."

Wales' bid to reach Brazil in 2027 starts with what promises to be a tough test in Czech Republic, before their second Group B1 qualifier against Montenegro in Llanelli next Saturday.

After a 12-game winless streak in 2025, Ladd says Wilkinson's team are buoyed by their December friendly victory against Switzerland and, despite the retirements of Jess Fishlock and Kayleigh Barton, competition is rife for places.

"It's the most competitive I've ever seen the squad," she said.

"It's brilliant in training, the level is getting higher and higher every time we meet up. As a squad we're champing at the bit."

Wales were blessed with 19 years of Fishlock, but the loss of the country's all-time leading goalscorer brings a different look to their World Cup qualifying campaign.

Fishlock will be part of the coaching staff for the Czech Republic game but leaves big boots to fill on the pitch.

Ladd says it is up to Wales' other senior players to lead the way.

"Jess is a phenomenal player - she's such a trailblazer with what she's done in the game," she said.

"There's obviously me, Angharad James, Ceri Holland and Sophie Ingle with a wealth of experience. There's hopefully enough to carry the squad through and make sure we don't lose any momentum in this next campaign.

"It will feel strange, but the squad is really ready as a whole to step up and that counts for all our younger players or the in-betweeners in their mid-20s as well."

Ladd insists the youth will help the team's evolution.

"We've always been fortunate to have managers that have really trusted our younger players," she said.

"We've always had young players, a 16-year-old Carrie Jones comes to mind straight away. If you're good enough, you're ready.

"They've always been in and around the squad, so it's something that we're used to.

"Those younger players know they've got a big responsibility not just to sit there and learn and take things easy, we need them to be right at it and ready to contribute."