Women's Super League

Charlotte Coates
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool manager Gareth Taylor says the high-profile incomings to the Women's Super League this summer "shows the way the women's game is going".

Newly promoted London City Lionesses announced the signing of France midfielder Grace Geyoro from Paris St-Germain while Chelsea brought in exciting USA forward Alyssa Thompson.

"It shows the way the women's game is going. We were involved in a high-profile deal here with a player [Olivia Smith] leaving the club. I think it's the sign of the times and the way the game is going.

"There's more investment going into the game. Player salaries and fees are going up naturally as well.

"Does it make my job more difficult? Potentially. What we're trying to do at Liverpool is build in a steady and constructive way.

"That's not to say others aren't doing that. They are a bit more ahead of where we are and where we want to get to but that's the exciting part seeing that vision and the opportunity to take it there."

Former Manchester City boss Taylor took over at Liverpool on 8 August - missing a chunk of the transfer window.

Despite losing Olivia Smith to Arsenal, Taylor says he is "fairly satisfied" with the work the club have done in the window.

"We were active while I was not in post," Taylor added. "We contacted players and players coming to the club in that period were key.

"We could have done with more at the top end of the pitch. But it's tough in the last two weeks of the season. Overall, we're fairly satisfied."

Taylor will lead Liverpool into their opening match of the WSL season on Sunday when they take on Merseyside rivals Everton at Anfield.

Charlotte Coates
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United manager Marc Skinner says the club is an "incredible place for players to develop" after the departure of Grace Clinton.

Clinton completed a deadline day transfer to Manchester City with fellow England international Jess Park moving the other way.

In a social media post on Thursday night, Clinton, 22, said of her United departure: "This has been a very difficult decision for me because of the love I have for my team-mates and for you, the fans."

But she added she felt her future and that of the club were "not on the same page".

Clinton had attracted interest from several sides this summer with just a year remaining on her contract and no renewal agreed.

Skinner said: "I want to thank Grace. We as managers can have personal relationships with players and we can see things differently.

"We want to learn from the past mistakes and if people don't want to be here then we need to find the best solution for Manchester United. Grace had made her decision, that's what she wanted to do."

United see Park, 23, as a high-quality addition and, while the deals are separate, Park is considered a strong replacement for Clinton.

"In my perspective, we have a fantastic player in Jess Park," Skinner added.

"She's come the other way because she wants to be unlocked to her full capacity. That's what Grace has decided to do and that's her decision.

"It's an incredible place to be for players to develop. The club have thanked Grace for her service and we wish her the best."

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."