Tag: Transfers

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WSL

Manchester City undergo more exits than entries for 2026/27

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Photo from @bethmead on Instagram

Manchester City have been flying under the radar with more players leaving than coming. Only two new signings will join the Sky Blues. Both being players who had large impacts against City while at their former clubs.

One retirement struck Man City, as Laura Coombs announced her retirement from football altogether. The 35-year-old has played for a wide range of clubs in England, having started her professional career in 2007 for Arsenal. Since then she has also played for Nottingham Forest, Chelsea, Liverpool and finally Manchester City. A lasting impact was made throughout her career as a steady contributor in the midfield as she succeeded whenever she got called upon. Also playing for England, Coombs made appearances in two group stage matches during the 2023 World Cup, where England reaches the finals.

Four youngsters mark their exits from the club, each of which went on their own loans last season and look for more gametime and development as players.  Codie Thomas departs from her childhood club after spending over ten years at the club.  The move to Nottingham Forest will serve vital to her career, as the 19-year-old fullback struggled to compete against more experienced fullbacks such as Kerstin Casparij. Poppy Pritchard completed her move to Leicester City after a loans to Durham and Celtic last season. Pritchard has signed a three-year deal for the foxes.

Tara O’Hanlon also underwent two loans last season, spending the first half at Sunderland, and the latter half with teammate Pritchard at Celtic. O’Hanlon struggled to find her footing at Manchester City following a MCL tear, and a tear in her calf prior to the 2025/26 season. The young defender has joined Wolves having no senior appearances for Manchester City, hoping to have a more stable at Wolves. Lily Murphy has joined Aston Villa on a season-long loan after making 22 appearances for City since signing her professional contract in 2024.

Goalkeepers have made their exits from the club, with Eve Annets, Katie Startup and Khiara Keating leaving. Khiara Keating’s exit hits hard as she leaves with the expiration of her contract. Keating became City’s first-choice goalkeeper in 2023-24 as she won the WSL Golden Glove, but then struggled to fight for gametime against Ayaka Yamashita. The 22-year-old has also starred for her country, often being called up by Wiegman for England.

Katie Startup made her way into Man City’s squad as an emergency loan in the 2023/24 season coming from Everton, before joining on a permanent basis. This transfer means that Startup will hopefully increase her gametime as she joins Birmingham City. The final move from between the posts is Eve Annets’ loan to the Scottish WPL side Hibernian. Despite being signed with City for two seasons, Annets has yet to make an appearance for the club, having had gone on loan each season she’s spent at the club.

A centre back exit is from Naomi Layzell who has joined Everton on a season long loan, last season Layzell struggled to establish herself as a starting centre-back, having to face Knaack and Greenwood for the position. Consistent injury struggles also shortened her season with a hip surgery in December of 2025. Joining this exit is Spaniard Leila Ouahabi who has been a trusted player for Jergletz’ defence. With the conclusion of her contract, Ouahabi moves to the NWSL as she penned a three-year deal with Chicago Stars. The left-back spent four years at Manchester City and so, established herself as a regular starter for the club.

Undoubtably the name that has made the most headlines this transfer window is Kerolin Nicoli, who has left Manchester City for FC Barcelona with a record breaking fee of £1.28m, removing Arsenal’s fee for Olivia Smith from the top spot. Kerolin signed for City in January 2025 from the NWSL. Scoring 9 goals in 15 matches, Kerolin’s transfer will be noticed.

Two new signings both hail from London, with Beth Mead from Arsenal joining the frontline, and Chelsea’s Niamh Charles reinforcing the backline. Widely regarded as one of England’s best forwards, Mead pens a three-year deal, inevitably planning to make her mark on her new club. Mead’s perseverance and consistency has made her a country favourite, making her mark in Sarina Wiegman’s starting line-ups helping the Lionesses to European Championship triumph in 2022 and 2025.

Chelsea’s Niamh Charles has also has high levels of success with England internationally. Having won the WSL with Chelsea 5 times, Charles’ experience and versatility will come strongly into play. Held back by ankle issues, Charles struggled with game time last season, however her abilities do not only rely on defending as she scored a vital penalty in the 2025 Euros final, bringing the victory to England.

 

Overall, Manchester City are expected to make remaining signings, to cover for losses between the posts, as they currently have Cummings and Yamashita in the position.

 

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WSL

Everton bolster their squad during the summer transfer window ahead of the 2026/27 season 

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photo taken from @evertonwomen on instragram

Everton have had a busy transfer window with people leaving, joining and retiring from football. Scott Phelan joined as a Permanent Head Coach after his interim role last campaign with Lucy Hope announcing that she was retiring from professional football at the end of last season. 

Five players triggered new deals with the club including two permanent deals for Zara Kramzar and Hannah Blundell, with both being on loan last season. Megan Finnigan penned a new deal until next year which puts a stay of 20 years with the toffees, with Aurora Galli adding a one year contract extension to her deal. After her ACL injury in January, Danish Forward Karen Holmgaard also added an extra year to her deal for this season. Out of all of these returnees, Zara Kramzar made a lasting first impression for the side with many of the others having injuries throughout last season. 

6 players were out of contract come the end of the season with all players now having a new club. Katja Snoeijs joined Ajax after four years with the blues, but after injuries and a lack of game time for the striker, she left for more opportunities in her home country. Goalkeeper Emily Ramsey left the toffees after three years permanently and a loan deal, joining fellow WSL side Aston Villa. Her experience for the competition makes her the only player that the team will face in the WSL, with others going in different leagues and abroad (out of the ones that were out of contract). Inter Milan signed Toni Payne after her two years with the club. The Nigerian international joined Everton from Sevilla with the attacking player a person to miss on the team. 

Youngster Kenzie Weir left after her contract ended and joined WSL2 side, Ipswich Town. After multiple loan moves away, nothing clicked in the blue kit for Weir but hoped to get gametime and be a pivotal player for Ipswich, after being on loan there last season. Melissa Lawley has joined WSL2 outfit Wolverhampton Wanderers and her contract ended this summer. She joined the blues in 2024 after five years with rivals, Liverpool but last season was on loan at Burnley in the FA Women’s National League. Finally, Elise Stenevik joined FC Köln after her contract wasn’t extended following a four year stay with the club. The Norwegian left back will also look for more game time ahead of the 2027 Women’s World Cup. 

Three players have also left the club despite still having years left on their contract but most of them wanted more game time. Kelly Gago left the north west to join London and WSL side West Ham United. The forward left after 18 months with the side and left a hole in the squad but was quickly replaced. Martina Fernandez rejoined Barcelona after being with the toffees since January 2025. The Liga F side triggered a buy back clause in the defender’s contract and after many players leaving, she hopes for gametime at her old club. Ines Pereira joined Deportivo La Coruna after two consecutive loan deals to the same club with the Goalkeeper only gaining experience, and hopes to be with Portugal in the Women’s World Cup next year. 

photo taken from @evertonwomen on instagram

Everton also made signings with six players signing deals and one player coming in on loan. Naomi Layzell signed a season long loan from WSL champions, Manchester City with the centre back only making three appearances last season due to injuries and hopes to get back on track. Youngster Hannah Silcock joined the blues from rivals Liverpool after 12 years with the club. After signings coming in, she fell out of favour and wants to gain more experience in the league for a big club. Goalkeeper, Rylee Foster-Imman joined the side from Canadian team, Halifax Tides but fans are already familiar with Foster and her four month spell between September 2024 – January 2025. She was with Liverpool in 2020 as the reds gave her a chance to play football again and after Emily Ramsey left the side she hopes to get game time. 

Everton signed three players from Leicester City during the transfer window including one player who returns to the club after six years away. Noemie Mouchon was the first signing of the window with the forward joining after the expiry of her contract in the midlands. Hannah Cain returns to Everton on a free transfer after the Welsh International spent six years away from the north west club. Jutta Rantala was the last player to join from Leicester City after triggering a release clause in the contract with the Finnish forward spending three seasons at the club. All three will leave a goal-scoring hole in the Leicester side but due to International experience, they would want to stay in a highly competitive league to have a chance in the squad for the next world cup. Australian forward Holly McNamara joined from Melbourne City in the A-League and will wear the number nine in the blue shirt of Everton. During her time in Melbourne, she won two golden boot awards and hopes to bring her scoring expertise to England and the Women’s Super League.  

Everton start their campaign in the WSL travelling to Crystal Palace on 6th September before hosting newly promoted Charlton the week later. A Merseyside derby is on the cards in the first five games of the season as they travel to Liverpool on the 27th September. 

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Uncategorized

AMY MERRICKS SHOWS FAITH IN SQUAD AS BIRMINGHAM CITY PREPARE FOR WSL RETURN

Image via @bcfcwomen on instagram

Birmingham City are one of the three clubs entering the WSL this year after being promoted from the second division as champions. The club was a founding member of the FA WSL in 2010 and stayed in the league until their relegation in 2021. However, five years later, they are back, and with an entirely new look too.

Amy Merricks was appointed as head coach in April 2024 and helped the team finish second in the league the following year. Now, in 2026 they just finished the season as FA WSL2 Champions, securing themselves a spot in the WSL, back where they belong.

As expected, the club has had an influx of departures as well as incomings in order to get the squad to where they need to be ahead of the upcoming season. Departures saw Poppy Irvine leave for Norwich City, Michaela Kovacs depart for Brondby, Lily Agg retire from football after successive injuries and take up a managing role at Athlone Town FC, Teagan McGowan sign at Ipswich Town, Christie Harrison Murray make the move to Burnley and  Lucy Quinn join Sheffield United. Adrianna Franch and Shanade Hopcroft have also left the club however their futures are currently unknown, with neither of them having been announced to sign for new clubs so far. The club has also seen the departure of three former loanees, Libby Bance has joined Leicester City on a permanent deal from Brighton, Lotta Lindstrom has departed London City Lionesses for Bristol City and Hannah Silcock has signed for Everton in the WSL.

In terms of incomings, the club kicked off the window with a bang with a double signing from Manchester United. Millie Turner joins after eight years at the club, being a part of the squad since their formation in 2018, she leaves the club after inconsistent game time following injury last season. Turner has also been called up to the England senior team on various occasions so it’s likely this move is partly in hopes to put herself in the best possible position ahead of the Women’s World Cup next summer. The defender is a proven centre back and brings wealths of experience to the backline after playing in the Champions League and winning the FA Cup in 2024. Lisa Naalsund departed Manchester United after three and a half years at the club, and she too experienced inconsistent game time last season. The Norwegian international regularly features for her national team and can play in a variety of roles in the midfield. The Blues currently have a relatively small midfield, so this will prove crucial to the club, particularly in heavy scheduling with cup competitions too. 

It soon became clear that the clubs main focus point of the summer was to strengthen the defence after Jade Rastocle was announced from Montpellier. At just 22 she already has five years of experience in senior football, meaning the club will not have to spend time adjusting her to top flight football unlike most athletes her age. Rastocle started every game in the Premiere Ligue Feminine last season and is a proven centre back, even featuring in the France Under 23’s regularly.

Next came Katie Startup, a 23 year old goal keeper who was most recently signed to Manchester City. Interestingly, this signing is likely to be third choice move, with the shotstopper having not made a competitive footballing appearance since the 2023/24 season. Startup last received regular minutes in the 2019/20 season however is also well known for her work in mental health off of the pitch.

Sophie Baggaley is the clubs most recent addition and is also a goalkeeper, having most recently played for Brighton & Hove Albion. Returning to her childhood club after nine years, the keeper will provide good competition for Lucy Thomas who spent last year as first choice with Birmingham. Baggaley received limited minutes with Brighton last season, being pushed out of the starting spot by Nnadozie after two years, however she occasionally features in England squad’s and may be looking at this move to put her in a better suited position for a potential call up for next year’s World Cup in Brazil.

Birmingham Cities transfer window has been relatively quiet for a club entering a new league, however it shows the trust that Amy Merricks has in her team, and may work out in favour for the club as the vast majority of players are comfortable playing with each other, and won’t have the issue of compatibility that we often see.

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WSL

Manchester United Women: Summer 2025 Transfer Window Round-Up and Analysis

Image from Manchester United

Manchester United Women kept their business tight but purposeful this summer, adding three star internationals to their roster while saying goodbye to some familiar faces. The arrivals of Fridolina Rolfö, Jess Park, and Julia Zigiotti Olme look set to reshape Marc Skinner’s side heading into the 2025/26 campaign.

United’s headline signing came in mid-August with the addition of Fridolina Rolfö from Barcelona. The Swedish international brings with her Champions League medals, over 100 caps for her country, and the sort of versatility that makes her invaluable in modern football. At Barça, she was equally effective as a marauding full-back and as an advanced winger; scoring goals, creating chances, and providing defensive stability when required. Her arrival gives Skinner an elite ball-carrier down the left, a consistent source of crosses, and a set-piece threat.

For United, the benefits are clear. In a back four, Rolfö can transform build-up by pushing high and wide, allowing the winger ahead of her to tuck inside. In a back three, she slots naturally into the wing-back role, balancing defensive cover with attacking thrust. If there is a concern, it is workload management: after years of club and international intensity, United will need to be smart with her minutes.

Deadline day saw United strike one of the most eye-catching deals of the window. A straight swap that sent Grace Clinton to Manchester City and brought Jess Park over to the Reds. At just 23, Park is already known for her ability to receive in tight pockets, turn quickly, and release forwards with incisive passing. Her dribbling in central areas and knack for finding space between the lines could add something different to United’s attack.

Skinner now has a genuine playmaker to operate as a No.10 in his preferred 4-2-3-1, or as an inverted right winger who can drive inside and combine with overlapping full backs. The deal was a shock for fans, but Park’s creativity and energy look tailor-made for a side that has sometimes struggled to unlock deep defences.

The first arrival of the summer, Julia Zigiotti Olme, arrived from Bayern Munich at the end of July. The 27-year-old Swedish international will also be crucial in building a balanced side as a hard-working, defensively sound midfielder. She excels at screening the back line and recycling possession. She allows her teammates to push forward with confidence.

United’s midfield has sometimes been left exposed, especially against Europe’s best. With the UWCL on the horizon for the club, Zigiotti’s presence should provide the stability needed to unleash the full attacking potential of Park and Rolfö.

The window wasn’t without exits. Aoife Mannion joined Newcastle United after her contract expired, while youngster Jess Simpson left on loan to Southampton. Most significantly, Grace Clinton moved to City in the Park swap deal, depriving United of one of their brightest academy graduates.

This was not a scattergun window: it was targeted, deliberate, and focused on quality over quantity. United may not have matched rivals in volume of signings, but in Rolfö they have a world-class operator, in Park a creative spark, and in Zigiotti Olme, the balance to knit it all together.

Squad depth remains a concern, but the squad looks stronger and more tactically versatile than it did last season. The club are undoubtably hungry for more silverware, having gone without since their success in the 2024 FA Cup final. If the new signings settle quickly, United should have the tools to push on both domestically and in Europe.

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WSL

Transfer window overview: Chelsea FC

With the transfer window coming to a close last night, domestic treble winners Chelsea seemed to have a reasonably quiet summer in terms of club incomings.

After the departure of Emma Hayes at the conclusion of the 2023/24 season, the club made several huge signings with the likes of Lucy Bronze joining the blues for the first time.

But this year, whilst still having the statement signings, the active January transfer window meant Chelsea could take a more relaxed approach to strengthening their squad.

The summer started off with the signing of Swiss international Livia Peng from Werder Bremen on a four year deal. The goalkeeper certainly made a good impression among fans during the UEFA Women’s Euro’s in the summer, helping her country make it to the quarterfinals for the first time before bowing out of the competition after a hard loss against Spain.

Mara Alber was the clubs next signing with four year contract agreed. The 19-year-old joined from TSG Hoffenheim after making her debut at just 16. The attacker had an injury riddled season last year however this doesn’t take away from her previous success both domestically and internationally having lifted the U-17 Euros in 2022 as joint top goal scorer and being named in the top three players of the U-17 World Cup just a year later.

The first statement signing of the summer came in the name of Ellie Carpenter, an Australian international with two Champions leagues (amongst other accolades) to her name. Having played under Sonia Bompastor before, she is certain to become a key part of the Chelsea squad, especially in Lucy Bronze’s absence.

One final signing was Jamaican international Becky Spencer. Having spent the latter half of the 24/25 season at Chelsea on emergency loan, it came as no surprise when Spencer made the move permanent. Whilst being expected to be third choice goalkeeper whilst at the blues, her two previous stints (one last year, one from 2016-2018) makes her a trusted shot stopper among fans.

To conclude the summer window, Alyssa Thompson signed for Chelsea from Angel City in the NWSL for a near £1 million fee as a deadline day deal. The attacker, who signed a 5 year contract has been capped 22 times for the USWNT and even made her debut at Wembley stadium in 2022 so a potential FA Cup final should come as no threat to her next summer.

(All transfers correct as of 14:00 pm 05/09/2025)

Becky Spencer. Photo: Abdullahi Ahmed for Constancy Sport