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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

London City Lionesses level up.

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Photo from @alexiaputellas and @londoncitylionesses on Instagram. 

London City Lionesses have not been shying away from this transfer window as owner Michelle Kang has not been afraid of bold moves across the field.  Headlines ranging from Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas to Mary Earps reinforcing consistency in front of the goal, the Lionesses’ new team have become a force to be reckoned with in the WSL. 

Starting at the back of the pitch, former England goalkeeper Mary Earps returns to the WSL after two seasons away at PSG. Joining Elene Lete by the goalposts, Earps brings with her a wide range of experience and solidity having played in the WSL at Manchester United from 2019-2024. Consistency has always been at the forefront of the 33-year old’s game as Earps played a key role in England’s 2022 Euros win. She will be taking the place of 23-year-old Emily Orman who has gone on a loan to newly promoted WSL 2 side Wolves. This was a promising move for the young keeper as she won the golden glove during the 2024/25 season with London City. Orman’s loan will serve vital for her development as a player, and she will inevitably be a safe wall for Wolves. 

As four defenders left, two more joined. Maria León comes from Liga F where she has won title after title with FC Barcelona including 4 Champions League titles as Mapi was the heart of Barcelona’s defence being a reliable name in every line-up. Joining her is Utah Royals’ Janni Thomsen. The 26-year-old from Denmark is a versatile player who is open to playing wherever she is needed, often covering the right-back role, and even central midfield. Thomsen’s signing will not only add security between the positions but will also provide a strong player for years to come having also played for Vålerenga in Norway bringing in a multi-league understanding. 

The departures from defence come from Wassa Sangaré, Cerys Brown, Maddi Wilde and Teyah Goldie. Sangaré’s contract ended after her loan spell from OL Lyonnes as she made 22 appearances in the 2025/26 season. Youngster Cerys Brown joined Nottingham Forest on a two-year deal after a successful loan spell in the second half of last season, where she played every match available. Brown developed in Chelsea’s academy and now will work with Forest on their return to BWSL2.  

Maddi Wilde is yet another name we are seeing leave as she has penned a deal with Burnley as they are undergoing a large squad re-vamp having 13 players leave, and 10 take their place. Wilde has undergone two BWSL2 wins and promotions to the WSL, once with Bristol City in 2022/23 and then with London City Lionesses in 2024/25. The final defender to leave is for now only temporary, as Teyah Goldie has joined Crystal Palace on loan, who have just rejoined the WSL after a season in BWSL2. Goldie has not only played for club, but also her country, as the 22-year-old is a regular at England’s Under-23 camps.  

Alexia Putellas’ name is consistently in headlines, being a two-time Ballon d’Or winner and widely regarded as one of the best footballers of all time. The new headlines revolve around Alexia’s exit from FC Barcelona where she has played for the majority of her professional career. Having only ever played in Spain, Alexia will face a new challenge of making history at yet another club. This signing will also bring security to the pitch as she has also played with defenders Jana Fernández and Mapi León. 

Another midfield signing is fellow Spaniard Daniela Arques, who has joined the squad from Portugal’s Sporting. Arques is a dynamic midfielder who has been known for her creativity as she has also represented Spain internationally at youth levels, being only 20, Arques’ signing is a great investment for London City. 

Leaving this midfield, Julia Roddar exits the club following the end of her contract after having played her part in 20 out of 22 games last season, as she also helped LCL get promoted to the league in 2024. Roddar now joins the Italian side Lazio. Katie Zelem remains in the WSL as she was sold to West Ham United. The former Manchester United captain has been a symbol of leadership across every team she’s been in, however with Putellas’ signing, the move to West Ham was likely for the best to get the most game time possible. 

Two exits and three entries were made in the attacking field, with Lotta Lindström from Finland struggling to make her mark in London, with a dreaded ACL tear at the beginning of the 2024/25 season. Lindström then struggled with her return, eventually joining Birmingham City for the latter half of the 2025/26 season, and decided to join Bristol City on a permanent transfer. Paula Partido has landed a loan deal with Charlton Athletic, after spending the first half of last season on a loan at Spain’s DUX Logroño, later returning to support London City in any way she could. Partido’s loan is only temporary for now, and if she shines at Charlton, she may manage to solidify her place in London City. 

Photo taken from @londoncitylionesses on Instagram

Joining the team come Kadidiatou Diani, Rosa Kafaji and Nicole Anyomi. Diani is renowned for her pace and attacking strength as she is a French national team regular, moving from Lyon with 20 goals in 29 appearances under her belt. Diani has been seen as a symbol of LCL owner Michelle Kang’s wealth as the club paid over £500,000 for the forward. Alongside her, Kafaji penned a three-year deal from Arsenal following her season-long loan at Brighton and Hove Albion. Kafaji attacks from anywhere on the front line as the Swede is a hopeful young player.  

Finally, Nicole Anyomi arrives from Germany, having played at Eintracht Frankfurt for five years. Anyomi’s signing shows London City’s attacking ambitions, she has expressed her desire for a fresh challenge in a dynamic league with a wide range of competition. 

 London City Lionesses will begin their WSL campaign at home against Manchester United. This inaugural match will set the tone for the rest of their season, with the public waiting to see the exciting debuts of each new signing.  

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WSL

WHATS HAPPENING IN THE TRANSFER WINDOW FOR BRIGHTON?

Image via Paul Hazelwood (Brighton FC)

By Sophie Hodson

The Seagulls have quietly been going along with their business and have made
some exciting signings so far this summer. Of course, with new singings comes
outgoings too and the Seagulls have had to say goodbye to some fan favourites.

OUTGOINGS:
Sophie Baggaley, Libby Bance and Rosa Kafaji have all departed the club upon the
ending of their contracts.


Baggaley joined the club in 2023 and has played a crucial role between the posts for the past 3 years. At the end of the 2023/24 season, she was even voted players’
player by her teammates. The keeper has now officially signed with Birmingham City who were recently promoted to the WSL. Following seven years at the Albion, Bance has made a permanent move to Leicester City. The 23-year-old midfielder has 44 appearances for Brighton but spent her most recent years on loan.

Rosa Kafaji has 24 appearances for the Seagulls with two goals to her name. However, with her loan spell ending this summer, she returned to her parent club Arsenal and has since permanently signed with London City Lionesses.


Another player that has left the club is the Dutch midfielder, Nadine Noordam. After
some memorable moments with Brighton, including scoring the winning goal to send her side to their first FA Cup Final in history, Noordam has transferred back to Ajax.


Rachel McLauchlan also departs the club, making a move to Newcastle United. The
midfielder was with the Albion for 3 years.

NEW SIGNINGS:
So far this summer, the Albion have made 7 signings who will hopefully help the
team reach new heights next season.


A major transfer is the move of Gabby George from Manchester United. The 29-
year-old has been a consistent performing defender for the Red Devils since joining
in 2023 and was a part of the squad which won the FA Cup in 2024. Dario Vidošić
believes that George is the perfect addition for them: “We have big ambitions for the season ahead and adding a player of Gabby’s calibre and character is a massive
step forward for us”.

In addition, the club have also brought in Lia Walti from Juventus for an undisclosed
fee. The Swiss international is most well known for her time at Arsenal, the club whom she won the Champions League with in 2025. This is an exciting transfer for the Albion who will rely on her experience and midfield presence on the field.
In other positions, Brighton have singed Eleanor Heeps from Tottenham Hotspur.
The 22-year-old has further experience with loan spells at Blackburn Rovers,
Coventry United and Sheffield United.


Emily Murphy is another addition to the club, who signed from Newcastle United and also represents the Republic of Ireland at senior level.


Brighton have also signed Sophie Peskett, who leaves Ipswich Town after seven
years. Additionally, they have signed Emilie Joramo on a free transfer from
Hammarby, a Norwegian midfielder. Polish forward, Nadia Krezyman also joins the
club with an incredible record of appearances, goals and assists to her name from
her previous side, Dijon.

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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.

Categories
WSL

Arsenal Women look to the future after Seven Signing Summer

By Millie Poultney

Image via @Alessia on Instagram

Following on from their Champions League victory two seasons ago and the Gunners lifting the  Champions Cup earlier this year, Arsenal Women’s trophy cabinet remained mostly sparse for  the 2025/2026 season. They started the summer transfer window with the clear intention to  build on their previous successes and strengthen an already high achieving team. While the  squad has added quality in several areas with key, high profile signings, it is clear that the  departure of the likes of Katie McCabe and Beth Mead will reshape the overall performance and  drive of the squad. With the 25/26 team placing second overall for the domestic league and  qualifying for the Champions league semi final: the key question in everyone’s minds is can the  new signings help to redress the gaps that these departures leave, so that the Gunners can  touch Silverware this season.  

The club kicked off their summer by signing 27-year-old England midfielder Georgia Stanway,  who came on a free transfer from Bayern Munich. Not only did Stanway see the German side  through to winning all four league titles during her time at the club, she was also a strong,  consistent starting member of the Lionesses squad that won back to back European trophies in  2022 and 2025. Aside from this international experience, Stanway arrives at Arsenal having  competed in the national division and winning the WSL title with the Citizens in 2016.  

The number 4 is not the only midfield addition this summer, with 27-year-old Geraldine Reuteler  signing just a week later on the 8th of July. The Swiss international arrives from Eintracht  Frankfurt, where she demonstrated her versatility across a number of different positions,  operating impressively not only in midfield but also performing strongly up front as well. While  competing within the Bundesliga, it was recorded that Reuteler provided her team with seven  goals and six assists during the 2025/6 season, further demonstrating her capability of creating  opportunities for fellow teammates. Both player arrivals at the club are set to provide Renée  Slegers with dynamic yet versatile options in the midfield as they join Gunners’ veterans  including captain Kim Little.  

Re-introducing herself back into the WSL and hoping to continue her winning streak at  Barcelona, 27-year-old defender Ona Batlle joins the Gunners on a free transfer from the  Spanish side, where she made 114 appearances and scored 14 goals over her three seasons  there. In a recent interview, Renée Slegers labels her as a “full back with strong intent”. Batlle  will be greeted in North London by a familiar face in the form of midfielder Mariona Caldentey,  having played alongside the Spanish forward at Barcelona and internationally. Batlle has the  potential to be extremely helpful when creating chances for Caldentey, as they are well  acquainted with each other’s style of play. 

Arsenal’s recruitment has also not been limited to just strengthening their defence and midfield,  it is clear that the club’s main aim is to increase the capabilities and talent of the team as a  whole, not just for this season, but to lay down the foundations for years of future success.  During this particular transfer window, Arsenal Women have brought in two more significant  additions between the posts: 27-year-old Misa Rodriguez, who arrives with a considerable level  of experience both at club level from Real Madrid, and internationally for Spain, and 18-year-old  Dane Isabella Damm who joins after spending time at Arsenal on trial last season. The contrast  of the two new signings has highlighted the importance Slegers places not just on strengthening  the current squad, but also in building for the future.  

To complete the new signings, the Gunners have also expanded their current line of attack by  introducing 19-year-old young talent Lisa Baum who has joined the club off a free transfer from  the Bundesliga side R.B Leipzig, where she made 26 appearances and scored six goals in her  single season with the club. Her arrival further underlines the Gunners’ willingness to build up  important figures for the club’s future success.  

However, while the new arrivals have strengthened the likelihood of future trophies within this  team, this summer’s window has also seen notable and unexpected transfers including the  departure of left back Katie McCabe in mid-May. After eleven years at the club having made  over 305 appearances, the Irish international leaves behind a gap that includes not only skill  that might not be possible to replicate, but also a lasting legacy. The 30-year-old has joined  Chelsea Women’s Football Club on a three-year contract with an option to add on an additional  season.  

Another significant loss comes in the form of the attacking midfielder Beth Mead. Mead joined  the North London side in the January 2017 window, and since then has established herself as  one of the most reliable attackers in the national league, and during the 2021/22 season had  the most assists in the WSL as well as being the third highest goal scorer in the national  League, winning her The Golden Boot. Mead joins Manchester City on a free transfer from  Arsenal, on a three-year deal with the Citizens. Laia Codina also left for West Ham United and  Victoria Pelova signed with rival North London side Tottenham Hotspur.  

Overall, the transfer window has been a strong one for the Gunners with a new generation of  talent arriving, despite legacy players departing the club. It is now up to Renée Slegers and the  wider Arsenal team to prove that their rebuild can translate into success on the pitch for the next  season and many more to come.