Plenty of star names have been on the move in the summer transfer window, including Lionesses and Champions League winners
It's been a busy summer for clubs of the Women's Super League, with a whole host of high-profile transfers taking place before Friday night's deadline passed. Some huge names have swapped clubs in the division, such as Vivianne Miedema and Fran Kirby; some stars of the past have returned to England, like Lucy Bronze and Hayley Raso; and then there are a heap of players new to the league who are sure to impress in the coming weeks and months.
The 2024-25 WSL season begins on September 20, when reigning champions Chelsea welcome Aston Villa to the capital as they look to get their title defence, and new era under head coach Sonia Bompastor, off to a flying start. The action continues throughout the weekend, with Manchester United hosting West Ham on Saturday before a clash of two title rivals, in Arsenal and Manchester City, headlines a bumper Sunday.
So, which names should you be keeping an eye on as the new season begins? GOAL picks out 10 summer signings to watch…
Follow GOAL's official WhatsApp channel!Join nowGetty ImagesLucy Bronze (Chelsea)
One of the Lionesses' most well-known stars has returned to England this summer, with new Chelsea boss Bompastor identifying Bronze as a player who can help the Blues take further steps towards their goal of finally winning a Champions League title. The pair previously worked together at Lyon and won the French club's record-extending eighth European title by defeating Barcelona in Turin.
Bronze's arrival at Chelsea was something of a surprise given how well-stocked the squad is at right-back, but it appears that the England star will be a starter in this team. Her experience will be beneficial on the domestic front, too, especially in guiding the array of talented young players who look set for big roles in a Blues team chasing a sixth-successive WSL crown this year.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesMariona Caldentey (Arsenal)
Those who have watched Mariona Caldentey over the last few years will recognise her as one of the most intelligent but underrated players in the women's game. There are always going to be some who fly under the radar in a squad as talented as Barcelona's, and that has certainly been the case for the versatile forward, who racked up 20 goals and 18 assists in all competitions to help the Catalans win an historic quadruple last season.
Having also played her part in a World Cup triumph for Spain, it does feel like Mariona is starting to get her flowers and the appreciation for her already at Arsenal is evident, with the fans debuting their new chant for the 28-year-old in a Champions League qualifier earlier this month. She is a world-class player who will entertain fans across the WSL this season and beyond.
Getty ImagesOlivia Smith (Liverpool)
Under Matt Beard, Liverpool have consistently done smart, shrewd transfer business, and so the fact they saw it fit to smash the club record for a transfer for the women's team this summer when bringing in Olivia Smith says a lot about how talented the Canada international is.
Capable of playing in the front line or as a playmaking midfielder, the 20-year-old scored 13 goals and provided nine assists in just 18 league games for Sporting CP last season, marking herself out as one of the most talented young players in the game. Now, she'll look to step up another level as she enters one of the best leagues in the world.
Getty ImagesElisabeth Terland (Man Utd)
Elisabeth Terland didn't get anywhere near enough credit for her 2023-24 season. Brighton scored just 26 goals in 22 games and Terland netted 13 of them, responsible for exactly half of the entire team's goals despite receiving limited service in a side that finished fourth-from-bottom in the final standings.
This summer, her reward for those efforts was a move to Manchester United, where she should certainly get more chances given the creativity of the players around her. The 23-year-old will be operating in different circumstances – with more pressure, in a team that has more of the ball and likely with closer attention paid to her by defenders – but there's nothing to suggest she can't continue to find the back of the net.
