Women's Super League

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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."

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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German goalkeeper Anneke Borbe has joined Arsenal as a free agent following the expiry of her contract with Wolfsburg.

The 24-year-old made 15 appearances in all competitions for the German side, establishing herself as their first-choice goalkeeper in February this year.

She started all of the side's remaining 14 games as they reached the Women's Champions League quarter-finals and finished second in the league.

"It's amazing to have the opportunity to come and be a part of Arsenal at such an exciting time," said Borbe.

While she is yet to make her senior debut for Germany, Borbe has represented her country up to Under-19 level.

"We're delighted to bring Anneke to the club," added Gunners boss Renee Slegers.

"We've been impressed by her composure and aerial presence and we believe she has a high ceiling for development here."

Borbe's senior career began at Werder Bremen, where she made her debut aged 16 in February 2017 and went on to make 77 appearances.

Image source, West Ham United FC

West Ham have signed England Under-23 midfielder Sarah Brasero on a three-year deal.

The 20-year-old joins from Portuguese side Estoril, having played one season in Portugal after moving from Lewes in the summer of 2024.

Brasero said she is "ready to take the next step" and "play in the best league in the world" with the Women's Super League side.

Manager Rehanne Skinner said she will add "huge value" to her squad and that it is "clear that she has a lot of potential".

"It feels great to be joining such an ambitious club as West Ham," said Brasero.

"I've had some great conversations with Rehanne already. She's a manager that likes to develop young players, and as a young player with a lot of ambition, that's exactly what I'm looking for at this stage in my career."

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Liverpool have signed 20-year-old Scotland midfielder Kirsty Maclean from Rangers.

The Rangers academy product, who made over 100 appearances for the Glasgow club, said it was the "right time for a new challenge and to take the next step".

Liverpool's first signing of the summer was part of the Rangers side that won their first SWPL title in 2022, before winning the Sky Sports Cup for the first time later that year.

She said: "I think the club speaks for itself. It's obviously a massive club with a lot of history and to be able to represent the badge is a really proud moment for me.

"I'm a midfielder who likes to be on the ball and tries to make things happen so hopefully I can link up with the players in front of me and we can try to score lots of goals this season."

Maclean, who has 10 Scotland caps, also played a key role in the team that secured back-to-back domestic cup doubles across the past two seasons.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

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WSL 2 side Newcastle United are set to sign Aoife Mannion and Jordan Nobbs on permanent deals this summer.

Republic of Ireland defender Mannion, 29, left Manchester United in June following the expiration of her contract and will bring a wealth of experience to Newcastle.

Midfielder Nobbs, 32, joined Villa in January 2023 after 13 years with Arsenal. She has 71 caps for England and will be a valuable player for the WSL 2 side.

Newcastle are showing ambition in the transfer window as they push to gain promotion to the Women's Super League.

They are also adding more staff members, including a new head of performance, with further investment in the women's side of the club.

They were also looking to bring in Wales international Ffion Morgan, 25, but a move broke down amid interest from elsewhere, with West Ham pushing to sign her.

Last season, Newcastle finished fifth in the WSL 2 following their promotion from the third tier.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

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Burnley are close to bringing in three Women’s Super League players as new manager Matt Beard prepares to take charge of his first season in the third tier.

It is understood the club have agreed terms to bring in versatile midfielder Jasmine Matthews and forward Yana Daniels, who recently left Liverpool at the expiry of their contracts.

They are set to join on two-year deals and will be reunited with Beard, who they worked with at Bristol City and Liverpool.

Burnley are also believed to be close to agreeing a season-long loan move for Everton winger Melissa Lawley.

The 31-year-old spent five years at Liverpool between 2019 and 2024 and was part of the squad that won the WSL 2 title under Beard.

Manager Beard, who led Liverpool to back-to-back WSL trophies in 2013 and 2014, was appointed Burnley head coach in June.