- The summer transfer window remains open until 13 September
- There have already been a handful of high-profile signings
- The WSL and Championship are shaping up to be even stronger
There have been some huge and some totally unexpected signings announced since the opening of the women's football summer transfer window.
With a month and half to go until it closes, even more comings and going are still anticipated ahead of the start of the 2024/25 Barclays Women's Super League and Championship seasons.
But, here, 90min has ranked the ten most impressive signings up to now...
10. Demi Stokes (Newcastle)
Newly promoted to the Women’s Championship, Newcastle United revealed earlier this month they’d bagged ex-England international Demi Stokes after her departure from Manchester City.
The left-back will be an instrumental addition to helping the club achieve their goal of yet another promotion after winning the Women’s National League Northern Premier Division title last season, earning them their spot in the second tier.
32-year-old Stokes has spent the last nine years at City, helping them to achieve nine major honours, including the WSL title in 2016 and three FA Cup victories.
9. Mary Earps (PSG)
England international Mary Earps has become the highest-paid goalkeeper in the world by joining French giants Paris Saint-Germain.
During her five years at Manchester United, she made 125 appearances and set a new record for most WSL clean sheets in a season – 14 in 22 games in 2022/23. When saying her farewells on social media, Earps admitted she believed the club was about to undergo a period of transition that does not “align with the timing” of where the 30-year-old is in her career.
The comments come after United have faced criticism for their women’s team being moved into portable building at the training ground in deference to the men’s squad, who will have priority access to the women’s team building while theirs is undergoing refurbishment.
Earps isn’t the only high profile departure since the end of last season, with former captain Katie Zelem moving on, as well as fab favourite Lucia Garcia.
8. Alisha Lehmann (Juventus)
Alisha Lehmann completed an exit from Aston Villa to signed for Juventus on a three-year contract.
The Switzerland international left the club after three seasons, and a six year-stint in England. She was part of a Villa squad that secured their best-ever finish in the WSL – fifth – in 2022/23, as well as semi-final appearances in both domestic cup competitions.
7. Kosovare Asllani (London City Lionesses)
London City Lionesses confirmed they'd made a huge blockbuster signing with Sweden international Kosovare Asllani, after her exit from AC Milan.
The addition formulates part of owner Michele Kang’s exciting wider ambition to secure promotion to the WSL, and invest more widely in women’s football.
Asllani has earned 187 caps for Sweden, featuring at eight major tournaments, finishing third at the 2019 Women’s World Cup and securing silver medals at the 2016 and 2020 Olympics.
6. Elisabeth Terland (Man Utd)
Norway international Elisabeth Terland stayed within the WSL to join Manchester United after running down her Brighton contract.
The striker has spent the last two seasons at Brighton, where she became the WSL’s joint-second top scorer, level on 13 goals with Lauren James.
Terland has signed a two-year deal at United with the option of a further year. The move will see her join the likes of new Nikita Parris and Melvine Malard, whose loan has been made permanent.
5. Dominique Janssen
Versatile defender Dominique Janssen penned a three-year deal with Manchester Unite to become their first signing of this transfer window.
The Dutch international comes from VfL Wolfsburg and has plenty of experience playing in the WSL, having spent four years at Arsenal between 2015 and 2019. During her time there, she racked up over 100 appearances and won one WSL title, one FA Cup and two League Cups.
4. Fran Kirby
Brighton no doubt breathed a sigh of relief after managing to bag Chelsea legend Fran Kirby ahead of other suitors.
The 31-year-old England international confirmed her exit from the Blues at the end of last season, having won seven WSL titles and eight other trophies since joining in 2015.
90min previously reported that there was interest from clubs in the United States and Scandinavia, while Tottenham Hotspur and newly promoted Crystal Palace were also options for Kirby to remain in London.
3. Lucy Bronze (Chelsea)
Chelsea secured England international Lucy Bronze on a two-year deal following her decision not to sign a new contract at Barcelona.
During her two seasons with the Catalan side, Bronze won two Liga F titles, two Champions Leagues, one Copa de la Reina and two Spanish Super Cups. During the entirety of her career, she has won every club honour, which includes three WSL titles with Liverpool and Manchester City.
Bronze joins the Blue as they enter a new era under incoming head coach Sonia Bompastor, following the departure of Emma Hayes.
2. Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal)
Barcelona legend Mariona Caldentey moved to north London on a permanent deal from Barcelona.
The 28-year-old had spent a decade with the all-conquering Catalan side, after making her debut as a teenager. The Spanish international has also played in 72 matches for her country, and scored 26 goals.
This is a huge signing for Arsenal, who will be hoping Caldentey’s arrival will help propel the Gunners back to the top of the table, five years after their last WSL title.
1. Vivianne Miedema (Man City)
WSL all-time top goalscorer Vivianne Miedema joined WSL rivals Manchester City, after her exit from Arsenal as a free agent was confirmed in May.
90min had reported that the Netherlands international’s preference was to stay in England when searching for a new club, and that City were the frontrunners in the race to sign her.
Her arrival at in Manchester will see her team up with the likes of Mary Fowler, Lauren Hemp and Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw, boasting one of the most impressive frontlines in the league.
