The 24-year-old started her career with Doncaster Rovers Belles, making her senior debut in April 2013 against Chelsea, becoming the youngest-ever Barclays Women’s Super League player at the time (16 years, 2 months).
The full-back has experience of playing for England at youth levels, including Under-15s, Under-17s and Under-19s and Under-23s, scoring on her international debut against Norway and captaining the Under-17s side.
Purfield joined newly-founded Durham in 2014, featuring for them 19 times in all competitions and scoring four goals, as they placed sixth in the Barclays Women’s Championship.
In 2015, she moved to the United States after securing a scholarship with South Alabama Jaguars and Arizona State Sun Devils.
She captained both teams and won Freshman of the Year in 2015 and Player of the Year in 2016, along with being named an All-American.
Purfield returned to England in January 2019 after signing for Liverpool. She made 12 appearances in Merseyside, before joining Bristol City, following Liverpool’s relegation.
She featured for Bristol City 27 times in all competitions, including the FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup Final after playing against Leicester in the semi-final.
Purfield quickly made the left-back spot her own at Leicester, renowned for wicked set piece deliveries and providing a threat going forward, as well as attaining her defensive responsibilities, delivering five goal contributions so far in 2021/22.
That led to Purfield being nominated for the Barclays Women's Super League Player of the Month award for February, as well as the PFA Vertu Motors Fans’ Player of the Month, ending the season with 27 appearances.