The 2024-25 Women's Super League (WSL) season gets underway this weekend and ahead of the first round of matches, we take a look at some of the best deals of the summer.
Like last year, we're only including players who are new to the league, so players like Dominique Janssen (who moved to Manchester United from Wolfsburg, but previously played for Arsenal) or Vivianne Miedema (who signed for Manchester City from Arsenal) aren't featured, even though both could be key for their respective teams.
Mariona Caldentey, 28 years old, forward, Arsenal
Of all the players who have signed for the WSL this summer, there are few as well-known as Mariona. A World Cup winner with Spain, she won three Women’s Champions League titles during her time at Barcelona but left for Arsenal on a free transfer. A winger by definition, the 28-year-old is at her best when she can move across the attacking line, drawing defenders out of position to open up spaces for her team-mates to attack. Her intelligence and reading of the game will only help the Gunners as they look to close the gap on Chelsea and Manchester City at the top of the league.
Aoba Fujino, 20, forward, Manchester City
Fujino, who joined the senior Japan squad two years ago, has already made 24 appearances despite being just 20 years old, which should ease the transition from WE League side Tokyo Verdy Beleza to the WSL. Fujino is a creative attacker who excels with her ability on the ball, and City fans can expect to see her involved in build-up play rather than scoring goals. But, alongside midfield compatriot Yui Hasegawa, she could be considered one of City’s smartest signings.
Inma Gabarro, 21, forward, Everton
Gabarro, who can play in both attack and midfield, caught the eye of Spain during the 2022 U-20 World Cup with her impressive goalscoring ability and ability to strike the ball with unerring accuracy. Although she was no longer able to score for the senior team, the 21-year-old was limited by the wealth of established talent in Spain and makes her first foray outside of the F League by leaving Sevilla. The move to the WSL should not only give the attacker a platform to develop her game, but will also add much-needed versatility to Everton’s attack.
Rosa Kafaji, 21, forward, Arsenal
Kafaji has been “one to watch” for some time, but last season the 21-year-old made herself known to women’s football fans across Europe with four goals for Swedish side BK Häcken in the Champions League. A determined attacker who favours progressive play and is strong on the ball, Kafaji moved from AIK to Häcken in 2022 to help develop her game, and the move to Arsenal should keep the Swedish international on an upward trajectory. Alongside Mariona, the Gunners’ two new signings should add more than a little unpredictability to an attack that routinely fell into the same patterns last season.
Noémie Mouchon, 21, forward, Leicester City
Mouchon enjoyed a fine goalscoring form at Stade de Reims, where she played under new Leicester City manager Amandine Miquel, and it was no surprise to see the manager waste no time in signing the 21-year-old. The 1.75m tall Mouchon impressed in Leicester’s pre-season campaign, showing her attacking ability and is adept at setting up goals as she scores them.
Maite Oroz, 26 years old, attacking midfielder, Tottenham
Signed on the final day of the season and set to become one of the first names in the Tottenham Hotspur line-up, Oroz is the type of midfielder who sets the tone for those around her and lifts the entire team. Known for her line-breaking passes and lightness of touch, the natural playmaker is another impressive addition from League F.
Kiko Seike, 28, forward, Brighton
A defender, midfielder and forward, Seike can do it all (or most of it, anyway). Having won the WE League MVP award in 2023-24 with Urawa Reds, the Japanese international has vastly increased her goalscoring output from last season – netting 29 goals in all competitions – but her virtuosity is what makes her such an astute addition for the Seagulls. One of many new faces on the South Coast, Brighton & Hove Albion’s success could hinge on how quickly the pieces fall into place under new manager Dario Vidosic. But with signings like Seike, there’s no doubting the talent in the squad.
Chantelle Swaby, 26, centre-back, Leicester City
Despite all the transfer activity we’ve seen in the women’s game over the past few months, there have only been a handful of centre-backs who have moved to WSL clubs, putting the Jamaican international in a minority. With a wealth of experience from her time with the Reggae Girlz, as well as spells in the United States, Scotland and France, Swaby should bring stability to a Leicester backline that was shaky last season.
Kinga Szemik, 27, goalkeeper, West Ham United
There were only a few goalkeepers who made the switch to the WSL this summer, but West Ham United have found themselves a new No. 1. Filling the void left by veteran Mackenzie Arnold, who has joined Portland Thorns FC, Poland international Szemik is an old-school goalkeeper, adapting to using her 6ft frame to repel the ball with an outstretched glove or boot.
Paula Tomas, 23, LB/RB, Aston Villa
A move that may have gone under the radar of some, Aston Villa paid an undisclosed fee to sign the Spanish international full-back from Levante. Tomás is comfortable on both the right and left side of defence, is a good defender in one-on-one situations and is good at timing her interceptions and placing her crosses into the box. But unlike some of her contemporaries, she likes to cut inside when venturing into the final third rather than staying out wide.
