As the English league season comes to its conclusion, GOAL ranks the best pieces of transfer business done across the division this campaign…
There was a lot of good transfer business done by Women's Super League clubs this season. Some signings steered teams to safety in a relegation battle, some drove their new sides to significant achievements and others, quite frankly, dazzled crowds in England after either arriving in the country for the first time or turning out for a new club in it.
Sadly, it feels like this was quite an injury-plagued season in the WSL and setbacks prevented a number of contenders for that 'signing of the season' tag from staking a bigger claim. One thinks of Ruby Mace here, whose sublime form for Leicester City had her in England squads regularly until injury ended her season in early March, or Vivianne Miedema, who certainly produced big moments for Manchester City when she was able to, but wasn't on the pitch regularly enough to aid her new team in achieving their goals.
So, all things considered, what were the best transfers made by WSL clubs in the 2024-25 campaign? GOAL ranks the top 10 signings of the season…
Getty Images10Celin Bizet (Manchester United)
Manchester United did some really solid transfer business in the summer window. It was exactly what they needed, really, given the departures of star goalkeeper Mary Earps, productive forward Lucia Garcia and captain Katie Zelem all came at the end of June, before Nikita Parris, their top-scorer last term, left just before the start of the season.
Dominique Janssen is unlucky to miss out on this list after providing consistently superb performances in the middle of the park to help the Red Devils move on from Zelem and also return to the Champions League. There is room, however, for Celin Bizet. Like another United signing that we'll get to later, there wasn't much doubt that the Norwegian could succeed, given how well she played in two seasons at Tottenham. Yet, that shouldn't take away from what an impactful signing she has been.
Able to fill in at right-back or thrive further forward, Bizet has added plenty of creativity and energy to the United attack, as well as a dangerous goal threat. That's helped the Red Devils secure a top-three finish again, after the disappointment of missing out on European football last term.
AdvertisementGetty Images9Aoba Fujino (Manchester City)
If it wasn't for injury, Aoba Fujino would be much further up this list. After arriving at Manchester City in the summer from Tokyo Verdy Beleza, some expected the 20-year-old to take some time to settle and, given the competition for places, have to wait patiently for her chance to break into the starting XI. Yet, this fresh-faced winger exploded into the City team immediately in what has been her first season outside of Japan.
An electric talent with a fearless attitude that helps put opponents on the back foot, the now-21-year-old also has a fantastic work ethic that complements a multi-dimensional attacking threat. What makes her signing even more worthy of inclusion in this list is that it is one for the future, with Fujino ready to torment WSL defenders for years to come – and only set to get better as she does so.
Getty Images Sport8Lucy Bronze (Chelsea)
Lucy Bronze has had a fantastic first season at Chelsea. Identified by new Blues boss Sonia Bompastor as a player who could help elevate the team with her experience and quality, the Lionesses full-back has done that throughout the WSL season, forming part of one of the most impressive defences in England while standing out as one of the very best players in her position in the division.
It's hard to rank Bronze too highly on this list, because Chelsea weren't in desperate need of a right-back last summer. Yet, she has brought wonderful consistency to the role in her first season in west London, helping her new team to win a sixth-successive league title with determined defending and effective attacking play.
Getty Images7Nikita Parris (Brighton)
It's been an intriguing first season at Brighton for new head coach Dario Vidosic. The Seagulls have blown hot and cold this term, enjoying fantastic results like the entertaining 2-2 affair with eventual champions Chelsea, and some more disappointing ones such as the home draw against bottom side Crystal Palace. Still, it's hard not to feel like positives steps have been taken, with Vidosic introducing an exciting style of play and the team putting in performances that have troubled the WSL's best.
A strong summer of recruitment contributed significantly to their successes this term, with Fran Kirby, Kiko Seike and Rachel McLauchlan among those to make a real splash since signing in pre-season. It's hard not to pick out Nikita Parris as the pick of the lot, though. The striker's work ethic, intelligence in the final third and character off the pitch has all helped Brighton set an exciting foundation for next term, while also earning herself an England recall after over two years out of the picture.
