This summer we’ll be bringing you all of the latest transfer news and deals from the top two women’s football leagues in England!
The transfer window opens on 24 June and closes on 13 September 2024 at 11pm for domestic deals and midnight for international deals.
For the Women’s Super League Transfer Tracker, please click here.As of 30th June 2024 – Reading Women have withdrawn from the Women’s Championship and will instead play in Tier 5 of the women’s football pyramid. This means the Women’s Championship for the 24/25 season will only have 11 teams and 1 relegation spot.
Birmingham City
The blues of the midlands looked as though they could have fought for the top spots in the Championship in the first half of the season, however, the competition proved just too strong in the end. Still finishing in a respectable 5th place, 10 points behind eventual champions Crystal Palace; their latest renewal, experienced midfielder Lily Agg, shows a continued effort to keep the strength and quality in the team for next season.
| Transfers In: | Transfers Out: |
| – Ava Baker (FWD) from Leicester City – Rebecca McKenna (DEF) from Charlton Athletic – Tegan McGowan (FWD) from Charlton Athletic – Simone Magill (FWD) from Aston Villa – Lee Geum-min (FWD) from Brighton and Hove Albion – LOAN: Ashanti Akpan (MID) from Chelsea | – Remi Allen (MID) > Retired – Jade Moore (MID) > Tampa Bay Sun FC, USL Super League – Claudia Walker (FWD) > Burnley – Abi Cowie (DEF) > Leafield Athletic – Georgie Ferguson (GK) > Nottingham Forest – Lucy Jones (GK) > Derby County – LOAN: Abbi Jenner (DEF) > Wolverhampton Wanderers – LOAN: Charlie Devlin (MID) > Rangers |
Blackburn Rovers
The Lancashire team achieved their best ever finish (6th place) in the Women’s Championship last season and even proudly boasted an 8 game unbeaten run in the latest part of the league, a stat which will only build their confidence going into the next season.
Retained: Alex Brooks, Georgia Walters, Emma Taylor, Jemima Dahou
| Transfers In: | Transfers Out: |
| Ellie Noble (MID) > from Crystal Palace Hannah Luke (DEF) > from Creighton University (USA) Ellie Hack (DEF) > from Lewes FC Maria Edwards (FWD) > from SGS Essen Eve Clarkson (DEF) > from Lewes FC Poppy Soper (GK) > from Charlton Athletic | – Danielle Maxwell (MID) > loan ended – Nicola Worthington (MID) > Free Agent – Evie Smith (DEF) > Free Agent – Katie Bradley (MID) > Charlton Athletic – Hannah Coan (DEF) > Portsmouth |
Bristol City
The Robins spent last season in the Women’s Super League, however their stint in the top flight was short-lived and they find themselves back in the Championship for the 24/25 season. A 9 point gap between them and 11th place West Ham United, left them in the only relegation spot; further highlighting the vast gap between the two leagues. Lauren Smith, head coach, should however, be incredibly proud of the fight her team showed in every single match and they will be looking to dominate the Women’s Championship once again.
Retained: Sille Struck has signed a contract extension.
| Transfers In: | Transfers Out: |
| Lexi Lloyd-Smith (MID) from Southampton Harley Bennett (DEF) from Watford Jackie Burns (GK) from Reading | – Rachel Furness (MID) > Newcastle United – Sarah Stratigakis (MID) > Free Agent – Maddi Wilde (DEF) > London City Lionesses – Lisa Evans (MID) > Glasgow City FC – Brooke Aspin (DEF) > Loan Ended – Olivia Clark (GK) > Free Agent – Shae Yañez (GK) > Crystal Palace – Satara Murray (DEF) > Free Agent |
Charlton Athletic
After an impressive season (including an 101 day unbeaten run) the Addicks finished second in the 23/24 campaign, only one point behind eventual winners Crystal Palace. Head coach, Karen Hills, will be entering this window looking to strengthen her squad, with her eyes on promotion, hoping to beat off strong competition from the rest of the clubs who finished in the top 5 last season.
Retained: Carla Humphrey has signed a two year contract with the club, Mia Ross has signed a one year contract.
| Transfers In: | Transfers Out: |
– Katie Bradley (MID) from Blackburn Rovers – Gracie Pearse (DEF) from Tottenham Hotspur – Mel Filis (MID) from West Ham United – Jodie Hutton (DEF) from Sheffield United – Charlotte Newsham (DEF) from Sheffield United – Sophie Whitehouse (GK) from Lewes – Ellie Brazil (FWD) from Tottenham Hotspur – LOAN: Princess Ademiluyi (FWD) from West Ham – LOAN: Atlanta Primus (MID) from Southampton | – Angela Addison (FWD) > Free Agent – Freda Ayisi (MID) > Free Agent – Heidi Logan (MID) > Free Agent – Kate Longhurst (MID) > Nottingham Forest – Sian Rogers (GK) > Sheffield United – Ella Rutherford (FWD) > Free Agent – Poppy Soper (GK) > Blackburn Rovers – Melissa Johnson (FWD) > Free Agent |
Durham
After a very disappointing season, the northeast team almost looked like they could be in a relegation battle but ultimately finished in 9th place, 7 points clear of the relegation zone. The Wildcats will be looking to bring a mixture of youth and experience into the squad this window to hopefully stay fully clear of the drop zone next season.
Retained: Mollie Lambert, Abby Holmes, Lauren Briggs, Tatiana Saunders, Sarah Wilson, Sarah Robson, Becky Salicki, Lily Crosthwaite, Beth Hepple, Dee Bradley, Olivia Bramley, Grace Ayre,
| Transfers In: | Transfers Out: |
| – Abbi Grant (FWD) from Panathinaikos – Hannah Blake (FWD) from Adelaide United – Carly Johns (FWD) from Watford – Kaila Novak (FWD/MID) from UCLA | – Amy Andrews (FWD) > Newcastle United – Saoirse Noonan (FWD) > Celtic |
London City Lionesses
A club who felt a wave of hope towards the second half of the season thanks to the expertise of Remi Allen which allowed the London Club to finish in 8th place overall. Allen, who departed Birmingham City seemingly hours before appearing as head coach for the London City Lionesses. With the short-term contract over, the club announced on 27th June that Jocelyn Prêcheur will be joining the club on a 3 year deal, committing to Kang’s future plans for the club. The Lionesses need to spend wisely in this window to attract the right players and produce a convincing and consistent performance next season.
| Transfers In: | Transfers Out: |
| – Kosovare Asllani (FWD) from AC Milan – Maddi Wilde (DEF) from Bristol City – Amelia Ajoa (FWD) from Chelsea’s PGA – Gesa Marashi (MID) from Arsenal’s PGA – Charlène Meyong (MID) from Stade de Reims Féminines – Miljana Ivanović (FWD) from LSK Kvinner – Shen Mengyu (MID) from Celtic F.C. Women – Julia Roddar (DEF) from Hammarby IF – Sofia Jakobsson (FWD) from San Diego Wave – Maria Pérez (MID) from FC Barcelona – LOAN: Teyah Goldie (DEF) from Arsenal | – Tinaya Alexander (FWD) > Free Agent – Jade Bailey (DEF) > Free Agent – Paige Culver (MID) > Retired – Leanne Cowen (DEF) > Free Agent – Nicole Douglas (MID) > Free Agent – Izzy Groves (MID) > Free Agent – Lois Joel (DEF) > Free Agent – Sonia O’Neill (MID) > Free Agent – Paige Satchell (FWD) > Free Agent – Niamh Farrelly (MID) > Peamount United |
Newcastle United
Newcomers to the Women’s Championship, the Northern Premier Division winners will be looking to solidify and build a team that can make an impression in the second flight. The Tyneside club have already announced they’ve released 11 players ahead of the start of the season; signalling big moves to come from Becky Langley’s side.
New Contracts: Elysia Boddy has signed a new deal until 2025
| Transfers In: | Transfers Out: |
| – Shania Hayles (FWD) from Bristol City – Amy Andrews (FWD) from Durham – Deanna Cooper (DEF) from Reading – Claudia Moan (GK) from Sunderland – Demi Stokes (DEF) from Manchester City – Rachel Furness (MID) from Bristol City – Sophie Haywood (FWD) from Sheffield United | – Paige Bailey-Gayle (FWD) > Free Agent – Naomi Bedeau (DEF) > Free Agent – Grace Boyes (DEF) > Free Agent – Tyler Dodds (FWD) > Free Agent – Bridget Galloway (FWD) > Free Agent – Cara Milne-Redhead (MID) > Free Agent – Erin Nelson (FWD) > Free Agent – Keira Skelton (DEF) > Free Agent – Anna Soulsby (FWD) > Free Agent – Sharna Wilkinson (MID) > Free Agent – Lilie Woods (GK) > Free Agent |
Portsmouth
Another newcomer to the Women’s Championship after winning the National League Southern Premier Division; Pompey Women also shared the fantastic news they will be transitioning to a fully professional model ahead of their 24/25 campaign, with captain Hannah Haughton signing their first ever professional contract, keeping the skipper at the club for two more years as well as key defender Riva Casley. Off the pitch, Pompey’s back room staff will become full-time and the club has also expanded to create new roles for: a general manager/head of football, a women’s safeguarding and player welfare officer as well as a marketing executive. These are all promising signs from the club for not just this season: but the longevity of women’s football at the club.
| Transfers In: | Transfers Out: |
| – Sophie Barker (MID) from Sheffield United – Hannah Coan (DEF) from Blackburn Rovers – Megan Hornby (FWD) from Blackburn Rovers – Erin McLaughlin (MID) from Peamount United – Annie Hutchings (MID) from Manchester City – LOAN: Lily Dent (FWD) from Brighton and Hove Albion – LOAN: Grace McEwen (DEF) from Brighton and Hove Albion | – Kelci Bowers (DEF) > Free Agent – Leeta Rutherford (MID) > Free Agent – Evie Gane (DEF) > Free Agent – Tierney Scott (FWD) > Free Agent – Dani Lane (MID) > Free Agent – Jess Smith (MID) > Free Agent – Mia Adaway (FWD) > Free Agent – Ella Wild (DEF) > Free Agent – Ali Hall (FWD) > Free Agent – Mia Smith (GK) > Free Agent |
Reading
Unfortunately, while clubs like Portsmouth have the financial backing to expand. Clubs who are struggling financially are going the opposite way. Currently, things are not looking good for the Berkshire club after not only finishing in 10th place (just out of the relegation zone). But in recent days, the club have also announced they may not actually be able to compete in the Women’s Championship next season due to financial issues and lack of players.
At the moment, they’ve only got two senior players signed to the team and there are doubts to whether their girls’ youth age groups will be able to continue next season either. A petition has been started by the parents of Reading girls’ youth teams to try and protect the younger age groups from closure.
30th June 2024 update: Reading Women have announced their withdrawal from the Women’s Championship and will be playing in Tier 5 (Southern Region Football League Premier Division) of the women’s football pyramid in the 24/25 season.
Sheffield United
The Blades finished in a comfortable 7th place last season and were responsible for some memorable moments (mainly thanks to Izzy Goodwin and her incredible form) that they will be looking to build upon and strengthen in this coming season. With manager Jonathan Morgan being sacked in early February, this window will hopefully provide the opportunity for the club to start afresh with a new manager and new vision to support the wealth of talent in the squad.
New Manager: Ash Thompson has been appointed head coach of the women’s team after making the step up from managing the Under 21s.
| Transfers In: | Transfers Out: |
| – Sian Rogers (GK) from Charlton Athletic – Monique Robinson (MID) from Leicester City – Abbie Lafayette (DEF) from Watford – Maria Farrugia (MID) from Lewes – Leanne Cowan (DEF) from London City Lionesses – Fallon Connolly-Jackson (DEF) – LOAN: Charlotte Wardlaw (DEF) from Chelsea – LOAN: Alyssa Aherne (FWD) from Manchester United | – Tara Bourne (DEF) > Southampton – Fren Stenson (GK) > Southampton – Bex Rayner (MID) > Brighton and Hove Albion – Sophie Barker (MID) > Free Agent – Charlotte Newsham (DEF) > Charlton Athletic – Jodie Hutton (DEF) > Charlton Athletic |
Southampton
The Saints were another team among the top clubs fighting for promotion last season, only finishing 2 points behind 3rd place Sunderland with 13 wins and 9 losses (and interestingly didn’t draw any matches either) This window will be vital to bring consistency and strength to an already very good quality squad. In other news, Captain Rosie Parnell announced her retirement from the game at the beginning of June.
| Transfers In: | Transfers Out: |
| – Rachel Rowe (FWD) from Rangers – Fran Stenston (GK) from Sheffield United – Tara Bourne (DEF) from Sheffield United – Rachel Brown (DEF) from Sheffield United – Aimee Palmer (MID) from Leicester City – LOAN: Freya Gregory (FWD) from Aston Villa – LOAN: Lucy Watson (FWD) from Chelsea | – Katie Wilkinson (FWD) > Free Agent – Ella Morris (DEF) > Tottenham Hotspur – Rosie Parnell (DEF) > Retired – Sophia Pharaoh (FWD) > Free Agent – LOAN: Atlanta Primus (MID) > Charlton Athletic |
Sunderland
The Lasses returned to the Women’s Championship with a bang after finishing in 11th place in the 22/23 season (which would have seen them relegated this season). Finishing in an incredible 3rd place, a mere 5 points behind eventual winners Crystal Palace. Mel Reay and her team have orchestrated a successful season on Wearside, showing the players’ grit and determination to win some very hard fought points (that last minute 3-2 win over Lewes will be one that lives on in fans’ minds forever). The club have already announced 6 important contract extensions, keeping some great young talent at the club for at least another season. As well as this, experienced defender Grace McCatty has also announced her retirement after 6 seasons at the club, who has played such a vital role in Sunderland’s achievements in recent years.
Retained: Libby McInnes has signed her first professional contract with the club.
| Transfers In: | Transfers Out: |
| – Demi Lambourne (GK) from Leicester City – Eleanor Dale (FWD) from Everton – ON LOAN: Keira Flannery (MID) from West Ham – ON LOAN: Jessie Stapleton (DEF) from West Ham | – Liz Ejupi (FWD) > Free Agent – Faye Mullen (DEF) > Retired – Mollie Rouse (MID) > Spokane Zephyr FC (USA) – Claudia Moan (GK) > Newcastle United |
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