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17.09.2024

Twelve new signings to watch out for in the Barclays Women’s Super League

Naomi Layzell

The 2024/25 Barclays Women’s Super League season is finally upon us and with that comes the first opportunities for summer signings to make a splash in their new colours.

There was a lot of movement in the transfer window over the summer, with clubs spending bigger than ever to reinforce their ranks.

Now comes the time to see which newbies will set the league alight as fans hope to see investment off the pitch translate to success on it.

Whether it be big-name coups or savvy signings, here is one arrival from every WSL team to watch this season.

Arsenal: Rosa Kafaji

Gooners were delighted to land 21-year-old sensation Rosa Kafaji this summer, beating off the likes of Barcelona, Lyon and London rivals Chelsea for her signature.

Kafaji is an exciting attacking talent who starred for Swedish outfit Hacken during their run to the quarter-finals of the Champions League last term, scoring four goals.

She was also Hacken’s top scorer last season and has made nine appearances for Sweden since making her debut last October.

Switching her homeland for north London, Kafaji predominantly plays as a number 10 and will provide much-welcomed depth in quality to that role.

She will have plenty of competition to get her hands on a starting shirt, with World Cup winner Mariona Caldentey also arriving this summer, but Kafaji could be a name to remember for years to come.

Aston Villa: Missy Bo Kearns

Aston Villa have welcomed plenty of new arrivals to the Midlands this summer, including midfielder Missy Bo Kearns.

Kearns made the move down the M6 from her hometown club, with the scouser making over 100 appearances for the Reds while also featuring regularly for England at youth level.

An impressive passer with an eye for goal, she endured a frustrating season flitting in and out of the starting line up for Liverpool but could prove a smart pick-up from new Villa boss Robert de Pauw.

The Dutchman arrives with aims of improving on last year’s seventh-placed finish and the guile of Kearns in the middle of the park could certainly help should she form strong connections with the likes of Kenza Dali and Jordan Nobbs.

Brighton & Hove Albion: Fran Kirby

It has been a summer of wholesale change for the Seagulls, but there is one new name that stands out more than any other.

England international Fran Kirby’s arrival on the south coast was a real statement of intent, as Brighton begin life under new boss Dario Vidosic.
The 31-year-old has been a star for England in recent years and won five successive WSL titles with Chelsea before her departure at the end of last term.

A household name, Kirby’s arrival reflects the lofty ambitions at the club and a signing of her calibre will go some way towards achieving their goals of moving up the WSL table.

Kirby has struggled with injury in recent years but when fully fit can be one of the most dangerous attackers in the country.

Chelsea: Lucy Bronze

Reigning champions Chelsea enter a new era under Sonia Bompastor this season after the departure of Emma Hayes, and the Frenchwoman has wasted no time in putting her own stamp on the squad.

The arrival of England defender Lucy Bronze was certainly one that caught imaginations in west London, with the 32-year-old returning to the WSL after two years in Barcelona.

Bronze boasts a golden resume including three WSL titles, five Champions Leagues and a European Championship. She also has individual glory under her belt, winning FIFA’s The Best award in 2020.

A serial champion, her arrival will boost the Blues’ chances of sealing a sixth successive title and should immediately fill the gaps left by Jess Carter and Maren Mjelde.

Crystal Palace: Katrine Veje

Crystal Palace are preparing to tackle their first ever season in the WSL and they have bolstered their ranks well ahead of such a challenge.

Goals were not an issue for the Eagles as they secured promotion from the Women’s Championship, with an incredible goal haul of 55 in 22 games propelling them to the top of the table.

As such, Laura Kaminski has opted to strengthen down the other end of the pitch, with her first signing of the summer coming in the form of experienced defender Katrine Veje from Everton.

The 33-year-old Danish international could prove a shrewd signing thanks to her wealth of experience in the English top flight, even clinching WSL silverware as she lifted the title with Arsenal in 2019.

She has 160 Denmark caps to her name and most recently spent two seasons at the Toffees.

With knowledge of how to thrive at England’s toughest level, she brings the exact qualities required for a newly promoted side and could prove pivotal as Palace look to stay afloat.

Everton: Melissa Lawley

This summer saw a rare occurrence as Melissa Lawley swapped Liverpool red for Everton blue.

Lawley cross Stanley Park to put pen to paper with the Toffees upon the expiry of her contract at Anfield.

The 30-year-old winger brings experience to an Everton side seeking stability, having made 132 WSL appearances throughout her career.

She will look to make her former employers regret not handing a new deal her way, turning from asset to rival for the Reds in the blink of an eye.

Lawley adds welcome firepower to the Toffees’ front line following the departures of Toni Duggan and Martina Piemonte and will hope to team up with fellow new arrivals Inma Gabarro and Toni Payne, who both signed from Sevilla.

Leicester City: Ruby Mace

Ruby Mace is back for more at the King Power and will be eager to make a splash after sealing a permanent move to Leicester this summer.

The highly-rated Young Lioness joins from Manchester City having impressed on loan at the Foxes during the second half of the 2022/23 season, where she made 11 appearances.

An industrious and tenacious midfielder, who can also play in defence, Mace offers further selection options for new manager Amandine Miquel.

The 20-year-old has been involved in the senior game for five years and quickly earned recognition as a top talent, now a regular in England’s U23s.

She will hope to become the focal point of a new-look Leicester this term and is undoubtedly one to keep an eye on, both for now and the long-term future.

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Liverpool – Olivia Smith

It has been a quiet transfer window for Liverpool following last season’s impressive fourth-place finish, but the arrival of Olivia Smith should provide plenty of extra firepower.

The Reds broke their transfer record to secure the signature of the 20-year-old striker for £210,000 after an impressive season for Sporting Club in Portugal last term.

The Canadian smashed in 13 goals in 18 appearances last season, and will hope to bring that form to the WSL as Liverpool look to break into the top three.

Both her goals and creativity could be key to that end, with Missy Bo Kearns, Shanice van de Sanden and Melissa Lawley all departing over the summer.

Smith is still young but has 10 caps for Canada and will hope to make her mark immediately on Merseyside.

Manchester City – Naomi Layzell

The arrival of Vivanne Miedema has understandably generated most of the headlines in the blue half of Manchester, but the arrival of defender Naomi Layzell could prove equally exciting.

Layzell impressed for Bristol City last season and duly earned a move to City, where she joins a defensive unit that conceded the fewest goals last term.

Still just 20, Layzell will hope to learn plenty from the likes of Alex Greenwood and earn a starting shirt of her own following the departures of Esme Morgan and Demi Stokes.

Layzell has reportedly earned an admirer in England boss Sarina Wiegman, and trained with the Lionesses in February, something she will hope to do more regularly in the future.

A series of strong performances for City will help that cause as Gareth Taylor’s side chase a first WSL title since 2016 following last year’s near miss.

Manchester United – Elisabeth Terland

Elisabeth Terland shone for Brighton & Hove Albion last season, and will hope to do exactly the same for Manchester United this term.

The Norwegian fired in 13 goals in the WSL for the Seagulls to help them maintain their top-flight status, and duly earned admirers in the North West.

She arrives in Manchester alongside compatriot Celin Bizet, with the pair briefed to replace the goalscoring void left by Nikita Parris, who has moved the other way to Brighton.

Terland’s pace, movement and lethal finishing made her a terror for defences last season and United boss Marc Skinner knows those qualities will go a long way to helping his side back into the top three.

Tottenham Hotspur – Maite Oroz

Maite Oroz spent four seasons dazzling in the famous white of Real Madrid, and now the midfielder will hope the same colours lead to the same results while at Tottenham Hotspur.

The Spanish midfielder arrives in north London to take charge of the middle of the park for Robert Vilahamn, after loanee Grace Clinton returned to Manchester United following an impressive set of performances last season.

The 26-year-old has a wealth of experience under her belt, with over 100 appearances for both Los Blancos and Athletic Club, who she represented for five years before moving to the Spanish capital.

The Navarre native also has 15 caps for Spain and helped La Roja to the Nations League title this year.

West Ham United – Manuela Pavi

It has been a summer of change in east London, as familiar faces have such as Hawa Cissoko and Mackenzie Arnold have departed.

But West Ham boss Rehanne Skinner has not rested on any laurels in bringing in new recruits, and there are few more exciting than Manuela Pavi in claret and blue this season.

The Colombian striker arrives from Deportivo Cali in her homeland following a spell at Atletico Mineiro in Brazil and will hope to hit the ground running as the Hammers bid to look upwards in the Barclays Women’s Super League this term.

She will be charged with bringing goals for the Hammers, and could form a dangerous partnership with Viviane Asseyi.

The 23-year-old already has 12 international caps for Colombia and scored once at this summer’s Olympics in Paris.

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