Formerly a youth at St Albans City, Ladd also trained with Arsenal's development academy having joined when she was 9 years old. In June 2012, Ladd joined Naisten Liiga club Kokkola Futis 10 on a four-month loan having struggled to break into the Arsenal team. The move was arranged by the Finnish coach of the Welsh national team, Jarmo Matikainen. It timed well with the break between the end of her A Level studies and the beginning of her degree course.[3]
In January 2015, Ladd signed with FA WSL team Bristol Academy,[6] later rebranded as Bristol City, where she played for three seasons.
Birmingham City
Ladd signed for Birmingham City on 31 July 2017, where she played for a further two seasons[7] until 29 May 2019, when Ladd announced her decision to leave Birmingham City, after turning down a new contract.[8]
Manchester United
On 5 June 2019, Ladd agreed to sign with Manchester United ahead of the team's first season in the FA WSL.[9] Ladd made her debut for Manchester United against Manchester City in the FA WSL on 7 September 2019, a 1–0 loss in the inaugural Manchester derby.[10] She scored her first goal for the club on 21 November 2019 in an 11–1 League Cup Group Stage victory over Championship team Leicester City.[11] At the end of her debut season with the club she was named Manchester United Women's Player of the Year.[12]
On 24 February 2021, Ladd signed a contract extension with Manchester United until June 2023 with the option of a further year.[13][14] On 14 December 2023, she signed a further extension until 2025.[15]
Ladd was eligible to play for England through being born there, but chose to represent Wales. Ladd was named on standby for the senior Wales squad for the Algarve Cup in March 2011.[16] On 15 June 2011, Ladd won her first cap as an 87th-minute substitute for Helen Lander in a 2–0 friendly defeat to New Zealand, played in Savièse, Switzerland.[17] Five days later Ladd featured in Wales' 3–1 defeat to Colombia.[18]
In January 2019, Ladd earned her 50th cap for Wales in a match against Italy. She was presented with a golden cap in recognition of the landmark in June 2019 by FAW Vice President Steve Williams and former men's international player Danny Gabbidon ahead of a match against New Zealand against whom she had made her senior debut 8 years prior.[21][22]
Personal life
Ladd got engaged to her girlfriend Levi-Chambers Cook in June 2021.[23][24]