We’ve seen two ends of the transfer spectrum with Birmingham seemingly dismantled across the summer, meanwhile, Tottenham have strengthened in numbers as they prepare for their first season in the WSL.

Departures aside, each club has brought in players they believe will help them compete in the top tier of English football.

Here’s a comprehensive look who the clubs have brought in and standouts for each one...

Arsenal

Ins

  • Jill Roord (Bayern Munich)
  • Manuela Zinsberger (Bayern Munich) 
  • Leonie Maier (Bayern Munich) 
  • Jennifer Beattie (Manchester City
  • Fran Stenson (Manchester City)

Outs

  • Sari van Veenendaal (Atletico Madrid)
  • Dominique Bloodworth (Wolfsburg)
  • Lachante Paul (Leicester City)
  • Paige Bailey-Gayle (Leicester City)
  • Ava Kuyken (University of Florida)
  • Abbie Roberts (Rutgers University) 
  • Amelia Hazard (London Bees)
  • Janni Arnth (Fiorentina)

Look out for Jill Roord

In short: Roord is a complete midfielder who defends well but effortlessly merges into the attack and has goals to her game. She spent a lot of her time at Bayern playing further forward but has come into Arsenal and made the middle of the park her own, even being used in CDM – the same game which saw her get a hat-trick against rivals Tottenham. 


Birmingham City

Ins

  • Claudia Walker (Everton)
  • Abbi Grant (Anderlecht)
  • Brianna Visalli (West Ham)
  • Rebecca Holloway (Nashville Rhythm)
  • Lucy Whipp (St John’s University)
  • Adirenne Jordan (Atlanta)

Outs

  • Ellen White (Manchester City)
  • Charlie Wellings (Bristol City)
  • Hayley Ladd (Manchester United)
  • Meaghan Sargeant (Bristol City) 
  • Lucy Quinn (Tottenham Hotspur) 
  • Aoife Mannion (Manchester City)
  • Marisa Ewers (Aston Villa)
  • Shania Hayles (Aston Villa)
  • Emma Follis (Aston Villa)
  • Paige Williams (Released)

Look out for Brianna Visalli

In short: Visalli is an exciting player who likes to attack the ball and be on the front foot at all times. She isn’t afraid to run at players and be in a constant battle for the ball against her opposition. Visalli will be the driving force of the Birmingham midfield – an intricate player who is able to identify runs off the ball and pockets of space in between defenders. An out and out attacking mid. 


Brighton & Hove Albion

Ins

  • Danique Kerkdijk (Bristol City)
  • Matilde Skovsen (VSK Aarhus) 
  • Megan Walsh (Yeovil)
  • Lea Le Garrec (Guingamp)

Outs

  • Marie Hourihan (Braga)
  • Sophie Perry (Released)
  • Lucy Gillett (Crystal Palace)
  • Chloe Peplow (Tottenham Hotspur)

Look out for Megan Walsh

In short: Undoubtedly should be in the running for future England no.1. Walsh is commanding and vocal, working with her backline but more importantly, she is a formidable shot-stopper. She belongs in the top tier of football and will only continue to grow and improve the longer she is playing at the highest level. 


Bristol City

Ins

  • Olivia Chance (Everton) 
  • Vita van der Linden (Ajax)
  • Yana Daniels (Liverpool)
  • Ebony Salmon (Manchester United)
  • Jasmine Matthews (Liverpool)
  • Meaghan Sargeant (Birmingham City)
  • Charlie Wellings (Birmingham City)

Outs

  • Lucy Graham (Everton)
  • Julie Biesmans (PSV)
  • Ali Johnson (Sheffield United) 
  • Poppy Wilson (London City Lionesses)
  • Danique Kerkdijk (Brighton)
  • Juliette Kemppi (London City Lionesses)
  • Rosella Ayane (Tottenham Hotspur) 
  • Heather Payne (Florida State University)

Look out for Ebony Salmon

In short: Salmon never really got the opportunity at United to show what she was about but introduced herself during a short loan spell at Sheffield United, scoring seven goals in her nine appearances. Lightning-quick pace matched with sheer intelligence both on and off the ball makes her a nightmare for defenders. 


Chelsea

Ins

  • Guro Reiten (LSK Kvinner)

Outs

  • Hedvig Lindahl (Wolfsburg)
  • Karen Carney (Retired)
  • Jade Bailey (Liverpool)
  • Lizzie Durack (Retired)
  • Ali Riley (Bayern Munich)

Look out for Guro Reiten

In short: Reiten is a goal-scoring midfielder with the versatility to operate effectively on the wing or even as a striker. Even though she’s Chelsea’s only signing for the summer, she will certainly be one of their most creative players throughout the season. Reiten has the ability to pick a pass from tight areas and break down lines of defence for the attackers in front of her.  


Everton

Ins (loan)

  • Kika van Es (Ajax)
  • Lucy Graham (Bristol City)
  • Molly Pike (Chelsea)
  • Tinja Riikka Korpela (Valerenga)
  • Meava Clemaron (Fleury 91)
  • Esme Morgan (Manchester City)

Outs

  • Siri Worm (Tottenham Hotspur)
  • Angharad James (Reading)
  • Emma Brownlie (Released)
  • Claudia Walker (Birmingham City)
  • Georgia Evans (Charlton Athletic)
  • Becky Flaherty (Sheffield United)
  • Olivia Chance (Bristol City)
  • Dominique Bruinenberg (PEC Zwolle)

Look out for Lucy Graham

In short: Graham is an attacking midfielder with flair and undeniable vision. Not only does she assist goals, but she puts them away too. With seven goals in 19 appearances for Bristol, she’ll be driving Everton’s midfield forward bridging the midfield and attack in order to contribute goals. 


Liverpool

Ins

  • Becky Jane (Reading)
  • Melissa Lawley (Manchester City)
  • Jade Bailey (Chelsea)

Outs (loan)

  • Ellie Fletcher (Sheffield United)
  • Yana Daniels (Bristol City)
  • Jasmine Matthews (Bristol City) 
  • Aimee Everett (Leicester City)
  • Lauren Thomas (Blackburn Rovers)
  • Annabel Blanchard (Leicester City)
  • Leandra Little (Sheffield United)
  • Laura Coombs (Manchester City)

Look out for Melissa Lawley

In short: Lawley’s career with City saw her win two FA Cups, a Conti Cup and reach a Champions League semi-final, bringing a wealth of experience to Liverpool. She never really got a chance to show what she was about for City so a consistent run of games will only help bring her back to the player that put herself in contention for England selection. She’s an exciting player who commands the final third with ease and is able to add goals to her game as well as control it for her side. 


Manchester City

Ins

  • Tyler Toland (Sion Swifts)
  • Aoife Mannion (Birmingham City)
  • Lee Geum-min (Gyeongju) 
  • Matilda Fidalgo (Braga)
  • Laura Coombs (Liverpool)
  • Ellen White (Birmingham City)

Outs (loan)

  • Claire Emslie (Orlando Pride) 
  • Nikita Parris (Lyon)
  • Melissa Lawley (Liverpool)
  • Esme Morgan (Everton)
  • Fran Stenson (Arsenal)
  • Jennifer Beattie (Arsenal) 
  • Abbie McManus (Manchester United)

Look out for Aoife Mannion

In short: Mannion had a storming season with Birmingham, so much so she earned her first call up to an England camp. One of the best CBs in the league. She is in complete control of her backline and her reading of the game is one of the many things that make her stand out. Great composure and intelligence when playing are what should see her become England’s next CB for years to come. 


Manchester United

Ins

  • Jackie Groenen (FFC Frankfurt) 
  • Hayley Ladd (Birmingham City)
  • Lotta Okvist (Hammarby) 
  • Mary Earps (Wolfsburg) 
  • Jane Ross (West Ham United)
  • Abbie McManus (Manchester City)

Outs (loan)

  • Aimee Palmer (Sheffield United)
  • Charlotte Newsham (Huddersfield Town)
  • Alex Greenwood (Lyon)
  • Charlie Devlin (Charlton Athletic)
  • Naomi Hartley (Sheffield United)
  • Lucy Roberts (University of South Flordia)

Look out for Jackie Groenen

In short: United bring in a European champion and World Cup silver medallist in Groenen who already had a spell in the WSL with Chelsea before leaving for FFC Frankfurt. She had an impressive first season with them however injuries meant she wasn’t really at her best. Nonetheless, Groenen is a talented and intelligent midfielder who is able to pick a pass and work her way out of tight spaces. She’s a dominant presence in the centre of the pitch and her reading of the game is part of the reason why she was so valuable to the Netherlands’ 2017 Euros win. 


Reading

Ins

  • Amalie Eikeland (IL Sandviken)
  • Maxime Bennink (PEC Zwolle)
  • Kristine Bjordal Leine (Roa IL)
  • Angharad James (Everton)

Outs (loan)

  • Kirsty Pearce (Retired)
  • Becky Jane (Liverpool)
  • Charlie Estcourt (Charlton Athletic)
  • Lily Woodham (Charlton Athletic)
  • Gemma Davison (Tottenham Hotspur)

Look out for Amalie Eikeland

In short: Eikeland strengthens Reading’s attack massively. She’s a direct attacker who links up with midfield well with interchanging positions. With 47 career goals at just 24, she’s set to provide an extra dimension in attack for the Royals as well as being a creator for others.  


Tottenham Hotspur

Ins

  • Becky Spencer (West Ham United)
  • Ria Percival (West Ham United)
  • Chloe Peplow (Brighton)
  • Rosella Ayane (Bristol City)
  • Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City)
  • Gemma Davison (Reading)
  • Siri Worm (Everton)
  • Hannah Godfrey (Pensacola FC)
  • Kit Graham (Charlton Athletic)

Outs

  • Sarah Wiltshire (Yeovil)
  • Ryah Vyse (Watford)
  • Renee Hector (Charlton Athletic)
  • Emma Gibson (Crystal Palace)
  • Emma Beckett (Watford)
  • Bianca Baptiste (Crystal Palace)
  • Wendy Martin (Retired)
  • Anne Meiwald (Released)
  • Grace Staunton (Released)
  • Maya Vio (Retired)

Look out for Kit Graham

In short: Graham is a brilliant signing for Spurs and quite frankly, a nightmare for defenders. At just 23, she’s already netted over 200 times for Charlton and has proven herself to be a prolific forward. She has great physicality and awareness to evade defenders. Graham is sure to be hitting the net for Spurs as she continues to develop her game in the top tier of English football. 

West Ham United

Ins

  • Jacynta Galabadaarachchi (Perth Glory)
  • Laura Vetterlein (Sand)
  • Martha Thomas (Le Havre)
  • Cecilie Kvamme (IL Sandviken) 
  • Courtney Brosnan (Le Havre) 
  • Katharina Baunach (Wolfsburg)
  • Kenza Dali (Dijon)

Outs (loan)

  • Vyan Sampson (London City Lionesses)
  • Jane Ross (Manchester United)
  • Ria Percival (Tottenham Hotspur)
  • Becky Spencer (Tottenham Hotspur) 
  • Rosie Kmita (London Bees)
  • Brianna Visalli (Birmingham City)
  • Claire Rafferty (Retired)

Look out for Jacynta Galabadaarachchi

In short: 18-year-old Galabadaarachchi will thrive under Matt Beard’s guidance as a manager who likes to develop young players. The Aussie international likes to run at players and has impressive close ball control. Her creativity allows her work well on the attack and she’s a nightmare for defenders when she’s weaving in and out of them effortlessly. She’ll be looking to improve her finishing with the Hammers, but the youngster is a force to be reckoned with. 

The FA WSL kicks off this weekend where fans will be able to see the new signings in action – the first of the lot coming in the Manchester derby on September 7th at the Etihad.