Hayley Ladd Celebrates 100 Caps for Wales.

In Friday evening's match against Italy, Everton’s Hayley Ladd earned her 100th cap for Wales.

Ladd made her international debut in 2011 in a friendly against New Zealand, having chosen to represent Wales over her birth country, England. During that memorable debut appearance, she came on to replace fellow 100-cap club member Helen Ward, who was known as Helen Lander at the time - a legendary figure in Welsh football and the nation’s all-time leading goal scorer.

Ladd joined Everton from Manchester United in the 2025 winter transfer window after spending 6 years with the Red Devils. Ladd was named Manchester United Women’s Player of the Year in the 2019/20 season and featured in their 2023/24 Adobe Women’s FA Cup winning squad.

Having been an established senior player at United, Ladd acknowledges that the decision to move to Merseyside was a difficult one. However, her dedication to the Welsh national team and her aspiration to maintain peak condition ahead of this summer's European Championship were significant factors in her decision.

"I always tried to be the best team-mate that I could be and try to push standards and advocate for the women's team as much as possible at United," she said.

"I hope it sets me up well to play for Wales and my performances can reflect that," she added.

She becomes the 7th most capped Welsh Women’s international, just 59 caps behind leader Jess Fishlock. She has also recently stepped up as vice-captain to Angharad James, who requested Ladd wear the armband for her 100th cap. Ladd earned her 50th cap for Wales also against Italy in January 2019 and was presented a golden cap of recognition by the FAW Vice President.

The 31-year-old was part of the squad that beat Ireland 2-1 (3-2 on aggregate) to help her side qualify for the 2025 Women’s Euros in Switzerland, their first ever major tournament.

"I think we had this feeling that this time we were not going to go down without a fight, I think we felt like it was going to be our time, that we were going to get over the line this time," Ladd said.

"To finally get there after all that heartbreak, and when I say that - heartbreak - I really mean it, to finally get there was just the best feeling.

"Things are a world apart from where we were 99 caps ago. In one sense it feels like a blink of an eye, but there has been so much change in women's football. Long may that continue."