WSL done deals: Every January 2025 transfer

The January transfer window for the Women's Super League (WSL) has officially closed and Chelsea hit headlines for breaking the world-record transfer fee in women's football.

Notoriously this window of business isn't usually that busy, but that certainly wasn't the case this time around.

The biggest move arguably came from the Blues who penned a $1.1m (£890,000) deal with National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and USWNT defender Naomi Girma.

Every club took advantage of the ability to do business, in a bid to help bolster their squads for the remaining half of the 2024/25 campaign.

The transfer window wasn't without any deadline day drama either, with England forward Chloe Kelly confirming a loan move to Arsenal until the end of the season.

90min takes a look at all the business that was done...

Shuang Wang exits Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham has confirmed the permanent transfer of midfielder Shuang Wang to Wuhan Chegu Jiangda WFC.

After signing with the club in January 2024, the 30-year-old went on to make 11 appearances across all competitions.

Femke Liefting moves to Chelsea

Goalkeeper Femke Liefting has penned a three-and-a-half-year deal with Chelsea.

The 20-year-old joins from Dutch club AZ Alkmaar. "It is really amazing," she said upon her arrival in west London.

"I am so proud. It is just such a big club. I'm really honoured to be here."

Laura Wienroither joins Manchester City

Manchester City confirmed the arrival of Arsenal defender Laura Wienroither.

The 26-year-old penned a loan deal to the Cityzens until the end of the 2024/25 campaign.

"I'm really happy to be here," said Wienroither. "I'm relieved everything's done now and I'm grateful for the opportunity to work with people who trust and believe in me. I just hope I can give the trust back."

Crystal Palace welcome Aniek Nouewen

Defender Aniek Nouwen has left Chelsea to join Crystal Palace on loan until the end of the season.

The 25-year-old first signed with the Blues in 2021 and made 14 appearances, netting herself one goal in her first season.

Head coach Laura Kaminski said: "She is a talented defender and will bring quality and experience to our squad."

Defender Jenna Nighswonger moves to Arsenal

USWNT defender Jenna Nighswonger has penned a permanent deal with Arsenal, after departing from NWSL club NJ/NY Gotham.

The 24-year-old has spent the last two seasons with Gotham, taking home the 2023 NWSL Rookie of the Year honour in her debut season.

Chloe Kelly pens loan deal with Arsenal

Chloe Kelly completed a deadline day loan from Manchester City to former club Arsenal.

The forward declined interest from Brighton & Hove Albion, as well as Manchester United who were repotedly interested in signing her.

Kelly took to social media on Wednesday to express her frustration at the situation she found herself in at Manchester City, initially blocking her wishes to leave the club.

Naomi Girma joins Chelsea

The award for the biggest moment of the January transfer window has been handed to Chelsea, who unveiled USWNT defender Naomi Girma just minutes before kicking-off their London derby blockbuster against Arsenal.

Chelsea are said to have paid $1.1m (£890,000) in transfer fees to San Diego Wave, making Girma the most expensive women’s footballer in history.

Rylee Foster departs Everton on loan

Rylee Foster has signed a loan deal with Championship side Durham, which will see her up North for the remainder of the 2024/25 season.

The goalkeeper has already made her league debut for Durham in an important 1-0 victory over Southampton in the heated title race.

Emma Bissell departs Everton

23-year-old Bissell has departed Merseyside to sign for Championship outfit Charlton Athletic.

The winger left the club on a permanent transfer, having made 42 appearances since signing for the club in August 2023.

West Ham sign Eva Nystrom 

The Hammers have acquired Finland international Eva Nystrom on a permanent transfer from Damallsvenskan side Hammarby IF.

The 25-year-old centre-back has joined the east-London club following four years in Stockholm, making over 100 appearances during her tenure.

Not only does Nystrom bring elite levels of league experience to the Irons, she has also recently plied her trade in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, coming up against the likes of Barcelona and Manchester City.

Spurs sign defender Josefine Rybrink

Tottenham welcomed Swedish international Josefine Rybrink as their third signing of the winter window.

The centre-back signs from BK Hacken, the side previously managed by current Spurs head coach Robert Vilahamn.

Rybrink brings a wealth of top-flight experience to north-London, having made over 100 appearances for BK Hacken since signing in 2021.

Leicester City welcome Olivia Clark

Following the departure of Lize Kop, the Foxes were quick to fix the holes in their goalkeepers union by welcoming Welsh international Olivia Clark.

The 23-year-old joins Leicester City from Dutch side FC Twente, where she previously made appearances in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Clark spent just six months in the Netherlands, having previously plied her trade in the WSL with Bristol City.

Goalkeeper Katelin Talbert joins Aston Villa

West Ham United goalkeeper Katelin Talbert has signed on with Aston Villa for the remainder of the 2024/25 campaign. The American shotstopper has previously returned from a short loan spell with Tottenham Hotspur, before making the move to Birmingham.

Before signing with the Hammers in the summer of 2024, Talbert had represented Icelandic side Fimleikafélag Hafnarfjardar, as well as Benfica, and Swedish side Djugardens IF.

Young Gunners depart on loan

Several Arsenal academy prospects have departed the club on loan for the remainder of the 2024/25 season.

Laila Harbart and Vivianne Lia have put pen to paper at Southampton, whilst Freya Godrey has joined London City Lionesses. 

Having recently been recalled from her loan spell at Bristol City, Maddy Earl has made the move to Sheffield United for the remainder of the campaign.

Jess Simpson pens new United deal

20-year-old Manchester United defender Jess Simpson has signed a new contract with the club until 2027. The youngster is a product of their academy and has had loan spells with Bristol City.

Simpson is also an England youth international and has represented her national team at various levels, including under-17, under-19 and under-23.

West Ham sign experienced Austria international

Austria international Verena Hanshaw has signed for West Ham from Italian side AS Roma and will wear the number 29 shirt for the Hammers. The 31-year-old has over 100 caps for her country and boasts European Championship experience.

Prior to her move to Roma, she represented Eintracht Frankfurt in the Frauen-Bundesliga, where she spent six years.

Kerolin signs for City

Manchester City signed free agent Kerolin after the Brazilian international’s departure from North Carolina Courage. The 25-year-old’s arrival represents a major coup and will ease the pressure on the likes of Lauren Hemp and Khadija Shaw.

Kerolin has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with the Cityzens, which keeps her at the Joie Stadium until the summer of 2028.

Two City departures to the NWSL

Two Manchester City stars have departed for NWSL clubs, including Australian defender Alanna Kennedy. The 30-year-old has penned a one-year deal with Angel City for the 2025 season, with the option of an additional year in 2026.

Scotland international Sandy MacIver has also moved across the pond as she joined Washington Spirit on a three-year deal with a 2028 option. Spirit paid an undisclosed fee to the WSL club for the goalkeeper.

Manchester City sign promising Japan youth international

Manchester City completed the signing of promising Japanese prospect Aemu Oyama from Waseda University in her homeland. The 20-year-old midfielder has signed a deal keeping her at the Joie Stadium until the summer of 2027.

Oyama is regarded as one of Japan’s most exciting young talents having made WE League debut with Tokyo Verdy Beleza back in 2021. She will wear the number 30 shirt at City.

Palace make two new additions

WSL newcomers Crystal Palace have bolstered their squad with two new additions from the Swedish league. The Eagles have signed Finland midfielder Ria Oling from FC Rosengard, with the 30-year-old set to play in England for the first time in her career.

They also signed Canadian international forward Clarissa Larisey from BK Hacken, with the 25-year-old having first made the move to Europe in 2021 to join Iceland-based club Valur. She then had a spell in Scotland with Celtic before she was signed by Hacken in January 2023.

Celtic star joins Brighton

Brighton have signed Republic of Ireland international Caitlin Hayes from Celtic for an undisclosed fee. The 29-year-old defender has spent the last four years in Scotland, having previously played for Lewes and the likes of Everton and Manchester United as a youngster.

She has been capped 18 times for her national team and will wear the number 12 shirt for the Seagulls.

Three Aston Villa stars move on

It has been a busy month for Aston Villa in terms of outgoings with some big name departures. Goalkeeper Anna Leat was the first to move on as her contract was terminated by mutual consent, with the club noting it was the player’s desire to be closer to her family in New Zealand.

Academy graduate Freya Gregory also completed a permanent move to Championship Newcastle United after being recalled from her loan at Southampton. However, the biggest exit of the window is France international Kenza Dali.

The midfielder was absent from their WSL meeting with Everton and later confirmed her departure in a social media post. Her next club is yet to be confirmed, but a report from the BBC indicates she could be heading to the NWSL to join San Diego Wave.

Kathrine Kuhl completes AS Roma transfer

Danish international Kathrine Kuhl has completed a permanent transfer away from Arsenal as she joins Italian giants AS Roma. The 21-year-old initially signed for the Gunners in January 2023 but game time last season was limited, so she spent the second half of the 2023/24 season on loan at Everton.

Kuhl remained at Arsenal for the first half of the current campaign, but once again struggled for minutes under both Jonas Eidevall and Renee Slegers. She has now committed to Roma until 2027, with the option of a further year.

Wardlaw departs Chelsea

Chelsea have confirmed the permanent departure of defender Charlotte Wardlaw. The 21-year-old is a product of the London club’s academy and has spent the last couple of seasons on loan.

She spent the first half of the 2024/25 campaign in the Championship with Sheffield United, but has now completed a permanent move to Newcastle United. The Magpies are enjoying a strong maiden season in the second tier as they sit comfortably mid-table in seventh, but are just five points off top spot.

Lize Kop signs for Tottenham

Tottenham Hotspur have signed Dutch goalkeeper Lize Kop from WSL rivals Leicester City. The 26-year-old moved to England from Ajax in the summer of 2023 but faced a difficult battle for the number one shirt against Janina Leitzig. 

She has now joined Spurs on a deal that runs until the summer of 2028. Kop is a senior Netherlands international and has 13 caps to her name to date.

Marie Hobinger signs new Liverpool contract

Liverpool have been bolstered by the news that midfielder Marie Hobinger has signed a new contract with the club. The Austria international signed for the Reds from FC Zurich in 2023 and has made 39 appearances across all competitions so far.

In that time, she has scored seven goals and registered five assists. She is one of Matt Beard’s most integral players as she appeared in all 22 of Liverpool’s WSL games last season.

Chelsea prospect joins Everton on loan

Everton have signed French striker Louna Ribadeira on loan from WSL rivals Chelsea for the remainder of the 2024/25 campaign. The 20-year-old initially made the move to England last summer from Paris FC, where she spent the first half of the season on loan.

Ribadeira is now the Toffees’ fifth signing of the window following Kelly Gago, Martina Fernandez, Emma Watson and Hayley Ladd through the door. The young forward is an exciting prospect and made her senior debut for the French national team last May. 

Jayde Riviere extends Manchester United stay

Manchester United and Canada international Jayde Riviere has extended her stay at the club until the summer of 2028, with the option of a further year. She has so far made 32 appearances across all competitions since her arrival in 2023.

The 23-year-old was part of United’s FA Cup winning squad last season and she played 78 minutes of the 4-0 final victory over Tottenham. Riviere has become a regular starter under Marc Skinner and is their first choice right back.

Sam Kerr joins Liverpool on loan from Bayern Munich

Liverpool’s first arrival of the January transfer window was Scotland midfielder Sam Kerr, who joined on loan from Bayern Munich. The 25-year-old midfielder will spend the rest of the 2024/25 campaign with Matt Beard’s side and will wear the number 24 shirt.

Kerr previously represented Glasgow City and Rangers before she made the move to join Bayern in the summer of 2023. With a midfield already consisting of Georgia Stanway, Kerr struggled for game time in Germany and will hope to play a more prominent role with the Reds.

Arsenal youngster signs first professional deal

Arsenal academy starlet Madison Earl penned her first professional contract with the club this month. The 18-year-old midfielder initially spent the first half of the 2024/25 campaign on loan with Championship side Bristol City, but has now returned to North London to continue her development with the Gunners.

Man United bolster goalkeeping ranks

Manchester United have signed Southampton goalkeeper Kayla Rendell on a deal until June 2027, with the option of a further year. The 23-year-old is a product of the Saints academy and she amassed over 130 senior appearances for the south coast club.

United were in desperate need of reinforcement between the sticks after Mary Earps departed on a free transfer last summer. Phallon Tullis-Joyce has expertly claimed the number one spot, but will now face stiff competition from the England youth international. 

West Ham star signs long-term contract extension

West Ham have extended the contract of 24-year-old Belgium international Amber Tysiak. The defender initially joined the Hammers back in January 2023 from Oud-Heverlee Leuven and has now committed her future until 2028.

She has already featured 33 times across all competitions for the London club and has become an integral figure under manager Rehanne Skinner.

Anouk Denton commits to West Ham

Defender Anouk Denton has signed a contract extension with West Ham United until the summer of 2028.

The 21-year-old originally joined the club in 2021, initially on loan from Arsenal, before returning permanently in 2023 after a spell in America with Louisville Cardinals at the University of Louisville.

Denton has scored twice this season helping to solidify her spot in Rehanne Skinner's side.

Clinton extends stay at United

Manchester United have confirmed the one-year extension in Grace Clinton's contract, extending her stay until 2026 at least.

The midfielder joined the club during the summer of 2022, and went on to develop her potential throughout two loan spells at Bristol City and Tottenham Hotspur.

Julia Bartel joins Liverpool on loan

Julia Bartel has departed Chelsea to join Liverpool on loan for the remainder of the 2025/25 campaign.

The 20-year-old midfielder joined the Blues from Barcelona last summer, penning a three-year deal.

Everton signs United's Hayley Ladd

After speculation, Everton have finally confirmed the arrival of Wales international Hayley Ladd from Manchester United.

The Merseyside club have had a busy month of transfers already, after onboarding Kelly Gago, Martina Fernandez and Emma Watson.

31-year-old Ladd joins Everton after spending the last five years at United, having previously played for Birmingham and Bristol City.

Aimee Claypole leaves Chelsea on loan

Chelsea's forward Aimee Claypole has completed a loan move to Championship side Durham for the remainder of the 2024/25 season.

The 19-year-old has made three appearances for the Blues since making her debut during the 2022/23 campaign, and spent the first half of this current WSL season in Sweden on loan at Linkoping.

Manchester City sign Rebecca Knaak

The Cityzens were faced with a piling list of injury woes as they crawled into the Christmas period, as captain Alex Greenwood underwent surgery on her knee. City haven't skipped a beat in the search for providing backup for the loss of the star defender, signing Rebecca Knaak on the opening day of the transfer window.

Knaak joins the Cityzens from FC Rosengard, where she won the Swedish Damallsvenskan league title in the 2024 season. The talismanic centre-back is a wall in defence, but can also provide a real attacking threat. Knaak scored 12 goals for Rosengard in the 2024 season, despite playing at the heart of defence.

The 28-year-old will be an important addition to Gareth Taylor's City side if they are to close the gap on Chelsea at the top of the WSL standings.

Everton welcome striker Kelly Gago

After struggling to get off the mark, Everton had a reform of momentum in the lead up to Christmas as they claimed a 2-1 win over Manchester City. Sorensen's side have also made a strong account for themselves against some of the top sides, holding Arsenal to a 0-0 draw at Emirates Stadium earlier in the season.

Hanging on by their finger nails, Everton are desperate for some fresh blood after losing Aurora Galli and Inma Gabarro to ACL injuries at the start of the campaign. The Toffees have now welcomed French striker Kelly Gago from FC Nantes.

The 26-year-old joined on an undisclosed fee, and will be sure to add flair to Sorensen's attack as the WSL enters the business-end of the season.

Barcelona loan Martina Fernandez to Everton

Everton have been further boosted by the addition of young Spanish star Martina Fernandez. The 20-year-old joins the Toffees on loan from Champions League holders FC Barcelona.

The central defender is well decorated on the international stage, winning back-to-back European Championships with the Under-19 Spanish team. The promising star comes with impressive versatility, able to play both centre-back and full-back.

Tottenham Hotspur sign Olivia Holdt

Despite fans expressing their early concerns, Tottenham currently occupy a solid sixth-place standing on the WSL table. Robert Vilahamn's side have displayed some positive signs in the early stages of the 2024/25 season, but are ultimately still feeling the loss of attacking partnership Grace Clinton and Celin Bizet, who departed the club for Manchester United last summer.

However, in an attempt to vill that void they've signed Danish attacker Olivia Holdt from Swedish side FC Rosengard. The 23-year-old has penned a deal that will see her in north-London until 2027.

Holdt was a prolific goalscorer during her two seasons at Rosengard, scoring 25 goals in 39 appearances for the club.

Arsenal academy prospect Laila Harbert pens professional deal

Arsenal announced that young academy star Laila Harbert penned her first professional deal with the club after turning 18 earlier in the month. Harbert is a bright prospect for the Gunners, having recently captained England at the Under-17s World Cup last October.

Hale End have birthed some brilliant talent for the Gunners, including England captain Leah Williamson, and 2023/24 Arsenal Player of the Season Lotte Wubben-Moy.

The exciting midfielder will hope to follow in the footsteps of the academy talent that came before her, as she puts pen to paper on a new deal.

Man United Jess Simpson joins Bristol City on loan

Following 90min's earlier prediction that Jess Simpson would be sent out on loan, Manchester United have now confirmed the 19-year-old has joined Championship side Bristol City for the remainder of the season.

Having returned from her ACL injury in the latter stages of 2024, Simpson will now be provided with a chance to prove herself as she returns to City. The defender will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of teammate Grace Clinton, who also spent time on loan at the Robins after signing with United in 2022.

Everton sign Emma Watson on loan from Man United

Manchester United have confirmed the departure of another rising star, as 18-year-old Emma Watson leaves Carrington to join Everton on loan for the remainder of the 2024/25 season.

The Scottish midfielder made her return from an ACL injury in November, making her senior debut for the Red Devils in a 2-0 League Cup victory against Everton.

Guro Reiten pens new deal with Chelsea until 2026

Blues fans will be relieved to find out that Guro Reiten has put pen to paper on a new deal in Cobham that will see her remain at the club until 2026.

The Norwegian left-forward has been integral to Chelsea's league dominance since joining the club in 2019. Reiten has scored six goals in the 2024/25 season so far, and was named November Player of the Month.

Aniek Nouwen signs contract extension with Chelsea

Chelsea have been locking down their squad over the last week, as Aniek Nouwen also signed an extension. The 25-year-old has penned a new deal that will see her remain at the club until 2026.

The defender signed with the Blues in 2021, and has made just 21 appearances for the club. Nouwen spent time on loan with Serie A side AC Milan in the latter half of the 2022/23 season, before returning to Cobham in the summer.

Nouwen made just one appearance for the Blues during the 2023/24 season, before devastatingly rupturing her ACL while on international duty with the Under-23s Netherlands squad.

Louna Ribadeira recalled from loan by Chelsea

Chelsea have recalled forward Louna Ribadeira from her loan spell with Paris FC after signing with the Blues in the summer of 2024.

She penned a four-year deal with the WSL club, after spending three years with Paris FC. After being sent back to France on a loan spell for the 2024/25 season, Chelsea have now confirmed her return.

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