By Millie Winslett
Image via @elliemason16 on Instagram
Charlton Athletic are preparing for their first season back in the top flight of women’s football since the club’s collapse and following relegation in 2007. Head Coach Karen Hills led her team to Women’s Super League promotion after beating Leicester City on penalties in the league’s historic first play-off game.
Hills’ team is one of three newly promoted sides alongside Birmingham City and Crystal Palace and looks to establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with after coming agonisingly close to promotion previously, finishing third, second and fourth in three consecutive seasons in the WSL2.
The Addicks have made numerous changes to their squad as they prepare for their opening fixture against Liverpool on September 6th. Charlton Athletic announced six departures from their promotion-winning side following the expiration of their contracts. Departures saw defender Gracie Pearse sign for Sheffield United after two and half years, midfielder Emma Bissell sign for Bristol City and the midfielder Frankie Finlayson, who established herself in the senior squad after playing PGA, leaves with no confirmed club. Karin Muya has joined Watford after three years, and experienced midfielder Katie Bradley, who scored 13 goals across her two-year spell at the club, has penned a deal with Newcastle United. Finally, Amalie Thestrup has signed for Danish side Brøndby, leaving a significant loss on Charlton’s attack and young midfielder Keira Flannery has returned to parent club West Ham after a season-long loan.
Despite these outgoings changing how Hills’s team will line up this season, there is still familiarity surrounding the team, with the club extending the contracts of multiple players who were part of the promotion-winning squad. Goalkeeper Anna Pederson has extended her contract for one year alongside defenders Ellie Mason, Lucia Lobato, Gloria Siber, Elisha N’Dow and Charlotte Newsham. Carla Humphrey has extended her contract for one year after her maternity leave, with fellow midfielder Lucy Fitzgerald and forward Gillian Kenney also set to stay at the club until 2027.
After securing their retained list of players, the Addicks kicked off their transfer window with loan signing Paula Partido. The 21-year-old Spaniard is joining Hills’ squad from London City Lionesses on a season-long loan. Partido signed for London City in August 2025, from Real Madrid, ahead of their first season in the WSL. However, she kicked off the 2025/26 season on loan to Spanish team Logroño United where she made 16 appearances with one goal and one assist before being recalled to her parent club in the January transfer window. Taking on the number seven, Partido is a versatile player who can play both in midfield and as a forward, providing a talented attacking option for the Addicks.
Hills added another young, versatile player in Grace Johnston. The defender, who is also comfortable in midfield, signed a two-year contract with the option to extend for a further year. Johnston played every minute of Perth Glory’s 2025/26 campaign, earning herself Perth’s 2026 Best Young Player.
Next came goalkeeper Anna Koivunen, who signed from Swedish side Djurgårdens. The Finnish international played in last year’s Women’s Euros in Switzerland, keeping a clean sheet in their opening game against Iceland. Koivunen will take the number 24; while she won’t be the first-choice goalkeeper, she will be an excellent option for cup games and a long-term solution in between the sticks.
Hills continued to strengthen her midfield by bringing in Leah Davidson on a two-year deal from Melbourne City. The midfielder made 80 appearances, winning the premiership three times, including the 2025/26 season.
Then came another loan signee, Lorena Azzuro. Taking on the number nine for a season from Paris FC, Azzuro is an out-and-out striker who has scored 8 goals in 19 appearances since her signing with the club in August 2025. The young French forward will bring an exciting flair to the Addicks’ attack, but having only played in France, it may take time to adapt to the WSL.
Rounding up their transfer window are two players who are not shy of the competitive nature of the WSL. First came experienced full-back Ashleigh Neville. The new number 29 made 115 WSL appearances for Tottenham Hotspur, making her the first Spurs player to reach 100 appearances in the league. Her success for Spurs does not end there, with her playing a vital role as a historic finalist in the FA Cup final at Wembley back in 2024. In January 2026, Neville signed for Leicester City, making 13 appearances across all competitions. Neville will bring an insightful experience to Charlton, knowing both the nature of the league and its competitors well.
Complementing her comes Australian International Emily Van Egmond. The box-to-box midfielder, who can bring an attacking threat to the Addicks, signed from Leicester City on a one-year contract with an option to extend. Van Egmond has a plethora of experience in senior football, having played in the NWSL, Frauen-Bundesliga and both the WSL and WSL2. Having plenty of experience in the English league, Van Egmond made 21 appearances for West Ham and 15 starting appearances for Leicester City and is no stranger to fighting relegation. The midfielder made her senior debut for the Matildas in 2010, currently securing 33 goals and over 170 appearances. This experience both domestically and internationally will bring leadership in a particularly young side.
Overall, Charlton Athletic have had a successful transfer window, Hills has added much-needed experience to her squad while retaining the youthful energy that secured promotion. The new arrivals have strengthened key areas across the pitch, particularly in attack following the departures of several players whose contracts expired, while also adding valuable leadership and experience to help guide the younger members of the squad.
However, questions remain over the consistency and continuity of the squad, with significant changes being made to the team that became victorious in the play-offs. This means Hills must integrate several new players and build effective chemistry within the squad in time for the WSL’s opening fixture. How quickly the new-look Charlton side can gel could prove crucial in how they return to the top flight.
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