Women's Super League

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Gemma Bonner says Liverpool are "building" and players are "driving standards even more" despite uncertainty from supporters this summer.

The Reds finished seventh in a disappointing WSL campaign last season, having broken into the top four the previous year.

They have been without a manager since Matt Beard was sacked in February and lost key players Taylor Hinds and Olivia Smith to Arsenal in the transfer window.

Asked if she understand concerns by fans, Bonner told BBC Sport: "100%. Obviously you would be very concerned coming into pre-season with that situation but there are a lot of players staying at the club and we have added some.

"You have to look at that and what we still have. We're building and there's a lot of good things we're doing right. It's easy to overlook that.

"At the moment it's not an ideal situation being in training without a manager but the group have come in and every single player wants to get better. We have driven the standards even more.

"That has been a big shift. We know last year wasn't good enough. The players are working as hard as we can. We have to trust the club in their decision-making.

"The players will be in the right frame of mind to hit the ground running."

Bonner has signed a new contract with the club and is preparing for her 10th season across two spells with Liverpool.

"Ultimately, I'm proud of what I have achieved. At the same time, I'm still striving to do so much more," said Bonner.

"There is lots of change coming in with [new managing director] Andy O'Boyle. The type of outlook he has and the changes he's putting into place, I think it's already stepped us up a level. It's something I want to be a part of.

"For me, the standards are important. I just want to buy into that and help the rest of the players - younger players or new ones – to come on board with that.

"I'm feeling really good and probably the best I've felt in terms of my body and the way I'm training. As long as I keep doing that, I'm happy."

Image source, Liverpool FC

Defender Gemma Bonner has signed a new contract with Liverpool.

The 34-year-old initially the Reds from Chelsea in 2012 and captained the club to back-to-back Women's Super League titles in 2013 and 2014.

She returned for a second spell at the club in 2023.

She is Liverpool's record appearance-maker in the WSL with 177 outings for the club in the competition.

"I've been welcomed back with open arms. I think the fans have been unbelievable," Bonner said.

"I want to be winning things and I want to be at the top end of the table and it's something that at Liverpool you should be expected to do as a club."

Image source, Liverpool FC

Midfielder Fuka Nagano has signed a new contract with Liverpool.

The Japan international's previous deal expired at the end of June and Manchester United were interested in signing the 26-year-old on a free transfer.

Nagano joined Liverpool from North Carolina Courage in January 2023 and has made 64 appearances.

Her only goal came in the 3-1 win over United at Anfield in March.

Liverpool, who remain without a permanent manager, begin their 2025-26 Women's Super League campaign against Everton at Anfield against on September 7.

Image source, Getty Images

England Under-23 forward Mia Enderby has signed a new contract with Liverpool.

BBC Sport understands the 20-year-old has penned a two-year deal valid until 2027.

Enderby has made 42 appearances and scored six goals since joining the club in the summer of 2023, with five of those strikes coming last season.

"I've been here for a couple of years now and I just can't wait to get started [in 2025-26]. Pre-season is going well and we just can't wait to get going," Enderby said.

The former Sheffield United player won Liverpool's goal of the season award last season for a strike against Manchester City in November, and won the club's player of the month prize for December.

"I feel like at first it was hard, coming in as a young player and with how big the WSL is now. I feel like I try my best," she said.

"When I'm coming off the bench, I try to help the team as much as I can – and that's providing goals and assists."

Enderby helped Liverpool to a seventh place finish in the WSL last term and reach the semi-finals of the Women's FA Cup.

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham defender Luana Buhler has extended her contract with the club until the summer of 2026.

Switzerland international Buhler had been set to play for the Euro 2025 hosts but was ruled out with a knee issue, which Spurs have confirmed is not an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

Buhler, 29, joined Tottenham in the summer of 2023 from Bundesliga club Hoffenheim.

She featured in six Women's Super League games for her club last season and 16 the year before.

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England forward Nikita Parris has left Women's Super League side Brighton following the expiry of her contract.

Parris, 31, joined the Seagulls from Manchester United in September 2024 and went went on to score 12 goals in 28 appearances across all competitions.

Brighton manager Dario Vidosic said he was "truly grateful" to have been able to work with her.

He said: "Nikita has played a vital role in helping us achieve our highest-ever WSL finish. Her professionalism, both on and off the pitch, has been outstanding, and her experience has been hugely influential within the squad - especially in guiding some of our younger players.

"Her goals and tactical awareness have offered consistency and leadership in the final third."

The Euro 2022 winner helped Brighton to achieve their best WSL finish last term, ending the season in fifth place.

Image source, Everton FC

Everton have signed 26-year-old defender Maz Pacheco following the expiry of her contract with fellow Women's Super League side Aston Villa.

Full-back Pacheco, who began her career at Liverpool's academy, said it was an "unbelievable feeling" to join the Toffees.

"I wanted to stay in the WSL and give it my all, she said."

"I have matured as a player and for Everton to be the club to bring me back home is fantastic. To be close to family, to have friends already in the squad, and to be able to come to play at Goodison Park is amazing."

Pacheco is the eighth signing of the summer for Brian Sorensen's side.

Sorensen said Pacheco, who has also previously played for West Ham, Reading and Doncaster Rovers Belles, is a "quality addition."

Sorensen added: "She has a lot of experience in this league and has good relationships with several members of our squad already.

"Maz has shown her talent throughout her time in the WSL, and I am delighted to have her with us at Everton."

Image source, Newcastle United

WSL 2 side Newcastle United have signed Aoife Mannion on a permanent deal.

Republic of Ireland defender Mannion, 29, left Manchester United in June following the expiration of her contract.

During her time with United, Mannion won the Women's FA Cup, coming on as a substitute in the 4-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the 2024 final.

"I'm really looking forward to getting stuck in and trying to hit the ground running," she said.

"It is clear to everybody the direction this club is going in, it's really exciting to be a part of."

Newcastle United manager Becky Langley said the defender, who has 16 Republic of Ireland caps, "brings a wealth of WSL experience".

She added: "She is a defender who loves to be on the ball and will be a leader in the backline. She also has exceptional ability defending in one-v-one situations.

"Her ambitions match perfectly with ours and we are excited to work with her."

Alex Brotherton
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa forward Kirsty Hanson has extended her contract at the club until June 2027.

The 27-year-old originally joined on loan from Manchester United in 2022, before making a permanent move in 2023.

Hanson has scored 14 goals in 74 games for Villa, with three of those coming in the final three Women's Super League games of last season.

The Scotland international scored in wins against Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal as Villa finished an underwhelming campaign strongly to achieve a sixth-placed finish.

The first of that trio - scored in a 2-1 defeat of Liverpool in March - ended Hanson's 33-game scoreless run in the league.

The Halifax-born attacker has scored four goals in 40 appearances for Scotland.

Alex Brotherton
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Everton have completed the permanent signing of Spanish defender Martina Fernandez from Barcelona for an undisclosed fee.

Fernandez, 20, joined the Toffees on loan in January and was named the club's young player of the season for 2024-25 by manager Brian Sorensen and his coaching staff.

The Spain Under-23s international played every minute of the 12 Women's Super League matches she was available for, helping Everton to eighth place.

"I'm so happy," Fernandez told evertontv. "The past five months were amazing because of everyone: the girls, the fans – everyone. So I couldn't say no at the chance to come back.

"The girls in this team are so nice. The people in the city of Liverpool are amazing, I love the culture. It was so easy for me to feel at home here.

"I have a lot of friends here and I think that was so important because I truly feel at home."

Sorensen said: "Signing Martina on a permanent deal was one of our priorities this summer so we are delighted to have her back at Everton.

"Despite her young age, she is a real leader and I admire the way she plays football and wants to improve.

"She is aggressive and strong, yet has a calmness to her passing and decision-making."

Fernandez is Everton's seventh signing of the summer, following compatriots Ornella Vignola and Inma Gabarro.

Image source, Liverpool FC

Liverpool have signed Germany goalkeeper Rafaela Borggrafe from SC Freiburg on a free contract.

Borggrafe, 25, has spent more than a decade at the German club, having joined aged 13.

She will compete with Rachael Laws and Faye Kirby for a starting spot at Liverpool.

"This means a lot," she told Liverpoolfc.com.

"This is a big club with a big history and I want to be part of that – we never walk alone. I want to have fun playing football and I am so happy to now be a part of the Liverpool family.

She started 19 of Freiburg's 22 league matches last season as they finished fifth and was on standby for Germany at Euro 2025.

Liverpool are currently without a manager after Matt Beard was sacked last season, with former Manchester City manager Gareth Taylor the leading contender to take over.

Image source, Getty Images

Janice Cayman and Hannah Cain are among nine Leicester City players to be given new contracts before the Women's Super League season.

Club captain and two-time Champions League winner Cayman, 36, has renewed terms after appearing in all 22 league games last season as the Foxes finished 10 points above relegated Crystal Palace.

Forward Cain - who scored in Wales' 6-1 defeat to England at Euro 2025 last week - will look to improve on her four-goal return in all competitions last season after the departure of top-scorer Yuka Momiki to Everton.

Long-serving defender Sophie Howard, 31, departs alongside Momiki after making 122 appearances in five years.

Leicester say that negotiations are ongoing with other first-team players whose contracts have expired.

The 2025-26 WSL season will begin on 6-7 September.

Leicester have also confirmed the appointment of Lee Billiard as director of women's and girls' football following his departure from Aston Villa.

The players that have signed new contracts are: Janice Cayman, Janina Leitzig, Missy Goodwin, Julie Thibaud, Sam Tierney, Hannah Cain, Shannon O'Brien, Nelly Las, Simone Sherwood.

The players released are: CJ Bott, Courtney Nevin, Saori Takarada, Yuka Momiki, Deanne Rose, Lena Petermann, Karla Torres.