Women's Super League

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Birmingham City pulled off an exciting late addition in the transfer window, agreeing a short-term loan for South Korean international Ji So-yun from Seattle Reign.

Ji‘s move was agreed late on Thursday night before the 23:00 BST deadline for WSL and WSL 2 clubs.

The experienced midfielder has made 41 appearances in her two seasons at Seattle Reign, having previously won six league titles in a 10-year period with Chelsea.

She left the Blues as one of the most decorated players in the club’s history, scoring 68 goals in 210 appearances under former manager Emma Hayes.

On the international stage, Ji is South Korea's all-time leading goalscorer and most-capped player, with 74 goals in 169 appearances since making her debut aged 15.

It is a significant addition for Birmingham City, who narrowly missed out on promotion to the WSL last season and hope to achieve their goal this time around.

"I'm looking forward to playing in England again. I like the ambition of the club and I hope I can help Birmingham on their journey to promotion and bring some exciting football for the fans. I am coming here to win," said Ji.

Image source, Liverpool FC

Liverpool have confirmed the signing of Japan international Risa Shimizu on a season-long loan from Manchester City.

The full-back reunites with Liverpool manager Gareth Taylor, who recruited Shimizu from West Ham while in charge of City last year.

The 29-year-old has 79 caps for Japan and has featured at two Women's World Cups.

"I'm excited to join this club and I'm looking forward to being on the pitch," she said.

"I know what type of football the coach plays from our time together at City so I thought it was the right fit for me and that's why I chose this club."

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United have confirmed the signing of attacking midfielder Jess Park from Manchester City on a four-year contract.

Fellow England international Grace Clinton is expected to go in the opposite direction but that deal is yet to be confirmed.

The 23-year-old, who was part of England's Euro 2025-winning squad, said: "I am really happy to be here and can't wait to get started. I wanted to break out of the boundaries and push myself to take on a new challenge.

"I'm the sort of person who wants to keep improving and pushing limits, and I think this is the perfect place for me to do that.

"I'm a player who wants the ball, and when I get it I like to look up and try and make things happen for my teammates, so I think I can fit in really well here. I know the ambitions are very high and I want to help the team push towards them."

Park scored 22 goals in her 119 appearances for City, since her debut in 2017.

Man Utd director of women's football, Matt Johnson, added: "She brings excellent technical quality, creative ability, and a winning mentality; and, importantly, she showed a strong desire to join the club and be part of the project we are building here.

"As the transfer window draws to a close, we are very pleased with the investments we have made in Jess, Julia (Zigiotti Olme) and Fridolina (Rolfo) – all world-class players who know what it takes to compete and win at the highest level."

Image source, Getty Images

Moroccan international Rosella Ayane has signed for Women's Super League club Leicester City on a one-year contract.

The forward, whose deal includes the option of a further year, departed fellow WSL club Tottenham on the expiry of her contract in June after making over 100 appearances for the Lilywhites.

She was part of the Spurs squad who competed in the Women's Super League for the first time in 2019 and came on as a substitute in the FA Cup final defeat by Manchester United in 2024.

Ayane is a leading figure for Morocco national team and has earned 35 caps since making a goal scoring international debut against Mali in 2021.

After signing her contract she told Leicester City's Foxes Hub: "I'm looking forward to the start of the season and the journey ahead. My previous experience will help me here.

"I can tell we have such a good group of people and I've seen our potential on the pitch. I am here to help push that and drive forward. There is so much quality, I think we can do really good things."

The 29-year-old is the fifth player to join the Foxes on deadline day after defenders Heather Payne and Cecily Wellesley-Smith, and midfielders Emily van Egmond and Olivia McLoughlin.

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool have completed the permanent signing of Spanish full-back Alejandra Bernabe from Women's Super League champions Chelsea.

The 23-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan in Merseyside, making four appearances before being sidelined for the remainder of the campaign.

Bernabe told Liverpoolfc.com: "I'm so happy to be here. Last season was amazing, so I was so happy to be back.

"I think here I have the opportunity to be my best. I always try to do that in my life. Here, I feel well with the people, with the club, with my teammates and everything.

"I think it's so important for [players] to be 100% on the pitch, so I try to give that. And here I think is the place [for me]."

At international level, Bernabe was part of Spain's Women's Under-17 European Championship winning squad in 2018, making her senior debut in November 2022 in a friendly against Argentina.

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa have announced that forward Rachel Daly has been named as club captain for the 2025-2026 season.

She takes over the role from Rachel Corsie, who announced her retirement from football in May.

Daly wore the armband numerous times last term, guiding the side to a five-game winning streak to end the season that clinched a top half finish.

A Euro 2022 winner on home soil with England and, the 2022-23 WSL Golden Boot winner, the striker has plenty of experience.

She will be joined in the team's leadership group alongside Missy Bo Kearns, Anna Patten and Sabrina D'Angelo.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United midfielder Grace Clinton has posted on social media, external confirming her departure from the club.

The 22-year-old England international has been linked with a move to rivals Manchester City.

"Me and the club have taken the decision to part ways over the past few days.

"This has been a very difficult decision for me because of the love I have for my team-mates and for you, the fans. However, I feel the future of the club and I aren't on the same page.

"For me personally, the next step is about growth, I want to continue to develop and learn."

Ciara Fleming
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham have signed Norway international Cathinka Tandberg on a permanent deal from Swedish club Hammarby.

The forward scored 19 goals in 37 appearances during her time in Stockholm last season, including five times in the Champions League group stage.

The 21-year-old made her senior Norway debut against France in 2023, and has five senior caps to date.

"I'm very happy to be here," Tandberg told Tottenham's official club website. "It's such a big club. Martin [Ho] coming here, his playing style fits me very well, and hopefully I can score a lot of goals here.

"I want to score goals, but I'm a very physical player, always fighting for the team and fighting for the club."

Spurs head coach Martin Ho added: "She's an exciting young talent with pace, creativity and intelligence in the final third.

"But just as importantly she's a humble, hard-working character who wants to keep improving.

"Cathinka is a great fit for the culture we're building here and we're looking forward to seeing the impact she can make with us."

Ciara Fleming
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, LCFC Women

England youth international Olivia McLoughlin has joined Leicester City on a three-year deal from Scottish Premiership club Rangers.

The 20-year-old, who can play in both midfield and defence, becomes the Foxes' third deadline day addition after Emily van Egmond and Arsenal loanee Cecily Wellesley-Smith.

McLoughlin adds Women's Super League experience to the squad having made 29 appearances for Aston Villa between 2020 and 2023.

The midfielder made her England Under-23 debut in a 1–0 victory over Portugal in October 2024, and has made five further appearances for the side.

McLoughlin told Leicester City's Foxes Hub: "I am really excited to be here, and this is definitely the right move for the next chapter of my career. The club has big ambitions and achieving in the WSL this season is important for me.

"I pride myself on the defensive side of the game. I'll bring a lot of energy and hard work. Hopefully the fans will see that from me. I am experienced in high-pressure moments, and I want to bring that to the team."

Ciara Fleming
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, LCFC Women

Leicester City have signed defender Cecily Wellesley-Smith on a season-long loan from Arsenal.

The 18-year-old signed her first professional contract with the Gunners in June 2025, having gained senior experience on loan at FA Women's National league South club Oxford United last season.

Wellesley-Smith is a regular England youth international and has spent time training with Arsenal's senior side.

She was also a key figure in Arsenal Under-21's 2024-25 PGA League Division One title triumph last term.

She told Leicester City's Foxes Hub: "I'm really excited. There are such great facilities and a great environment here and I just want to help the team do well. We'll all be pushing together for good results.

"All the staff and the girls have been really welcoming, and I just can't wait to get started now."

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Liverpool are set to bring in Chelsea full-back Alejandra Bernabe on a permanent deal before the deadline closes at 23:00 BST.

Bernabe, 23, spent last season on loan at the Reds and will become the first Spanish player to transfer between English clubs.

Meanwhile, West Ham have brought in Tottenham midfielder Anna Csiki on loan to add much-needed depth to the squad.

The 25-year-old Hungary international, who moved to north London last year, joins on a season-long loan.

Emma Smith
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester City interim manager Rick Passmore says he is focused on their opening Women's Super League game after a "whirlwind" week which saw him parachuted into the post.

It has been a turbulent time for the Foxes, who sacked manager Amandine Miquel just 10 days before the start of the new campaign.

Former West Ham assistant manager Passmore was appointed interim manager earlier on Thursday and will lead Leicester in their first league match of 2025-26 at Manchester United.

He left West Ham for "personal reasons" this week to move further north and be closer to family - before taking on this new role.

"The last couple of days have been manic, a whirlwind," he told a media conference on Thursday. "But I'm glad to be here with so many good people."

Passmore says his focus in on getting Leicester as ready as possible for Sunday's match at Man Utd, but he is keen on a long term role.

"It's about preparing for the weekend, ensuring we do really well, but I would love to stay at this club," he said.

"I've been here a few days, anything beyond that is a question for the club. I'm preparing for Sunday."

Leicester have been quiet in the transfer market, and sold key midfielder Ruby Mace to Everton on Wednesday. Veteran Australian international Emily van Egmond has arrived from WSL2 side Birmingham City as a replacement.

But despite all the upheaval, Passmore insisted the players were focused.

"You can see how professional the mindset is now, they can park emotions and come in to do a professional level of football," he said.

"All the players have adapted, it has been a pleasure working with them. I have only had a couple of sessions, but the players have worked hard."

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Confirmation of England internationals Grace Clinton and Jess Park's switch between Manchester United and Manchester City is expected shortly.

Clinton, 22, had a year remaining on her contract at Manchester United and was not willing to sign a contract extension.

City had long interest in the midfielder and persuaded United to part ways by offering a fee and allowing Park to move the other way.

Park, 23, has been a regular in the City team but is on her way to United in a four-year deal as she eyes a new challenge following eight years with the Blues.

The agreed fee is not yet known though it is understood Clinton is costing more, therefore City will pay United the difference.

Charlotte Coates
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool have signed midfielder Emilia Szymczak on a season-long loan from Barcelona.

The 19-year-old, who has been capped 14 times by Poland, has predominantly represented Barcelona's B team since joining the club in 2023, but has played in the Copa Catalunya at senior level.

"It's amazing to be here," she said. "This is a big club and I'm so happy to be a part of it.

"I just felt Liverpool has a bright future and I know the WSL and this league is so strong, and I know I can develop more as a player here and try, and the club can offer me the best."

Ciara Fleming
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

London City Lionesses have signed Spanish international Lucía Corrales from European giants FC Barcelona.

The Women's Super League newcomers activated the forward's release clause of around £430,000, to make the 19-year-old their 15th permanent signing of the summer.

Corrales was one of the first female graduates of Barcelona's renowned La Masia academy, making her Liga F and Champions League debuts in the 2022-23 campaign.

She was part of Spain's victorious 2022 Under-17 Women's World Cup and 2023 Women's European U-19 Championship victories before making her senior debut against Belgium in March 2025.

Speaking to London City Lionesses' website Corrales said: "I chose London City because I believe it's a club where a very good project is being developed, and I'm really eager to see how things are done here and to get started."

Corrales is London City's second arrival from Catalonia this summer after former Barcelona teammate Jana Fernandez joined last month.

Corrales added: "I'm really looking forward to meeting all the players, all my teammates, but especially Jana [Fernandez] and Maria Perez, since I've shared a locker-room with them before and I'm really excited to be with them again."