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All the confirmed major January deals –

Sports
Updated:
Ghana News
By Ghana News

A flurry of late activity saw the Women’s Super League January transfer window go out with a bang.

Read on for our club-by-club guide to all the major moves completed before the deadline. 

Arsenal

Emily Fox

Arsenal opened their January recruitment drive with the addition of United States international Emily Fox. 

The right-back, 25, said: “It’s a huge honour to get the opportunity to represent this club and I’m excited to get started and play in front of our supporters.”

Sarah Bouhaddi
The Gunners reinforced their goalkeeping department by signing former France international Sarah Bouhaddi on a short-term deal.

Bouhaddi, 37, played for Paris Saint-Germain last season but the bulk of her career was spent at Lyon, where she enjoyed a 13-year spell.

Arsenal’s new No86 told the club’s official website: “I’m excited to get the opportunity to play in a league that is going from strength to strength and I want to bring my experience to help the rest of the squad. I can’t wait to get started.”

Aston Villa
Noelle Maritz
Aston Villa’s first move of the window was to bring in Arsenal defender Noelle Maritz.

The 28-year-old, who made eight appearances for the Gunners this term, has been capped 113 times by Switzerland.

Villans head coach Carla Ward said: “Noelle comes with a wealth of experience at the highest level having played in the Champions League as well as winning trophies wherever she’s been.”

Brighton
Melina Loeck
Brighton picked up goalkeeper Melina Loeck from Kristianstads DFF for an undisclosed fee.

Loeck came in to replace Nicky Evrard, who returned to parent club Chelsea after suffering an injury.

Head coach Melissa Phillips said: “We’re really pleased to welcome Melina to the club as our first signing of the January window.

“She’s a young talent and possesses key attributes that will benefit our defence.”

Bristol City
Shae Yanez
Bristol City dipped their toe into the market to sign goalkeeper Shae Yanez from National Women’s Soccer League outfit San Diego Wave.

Yanez, 26, said: “I’m super excited to be here and I’m really looking forward to getting started.

“I’m glad we could get the deal done because it’s always been a dream to play in the WSL.”

Sarah Stratigakis
The Robins further strengthened their squad by signing Canadian attacking midfielder Sarah Stratigakis on an 18-month deal.

Stratigakis, 24, said: “I’m extremely excited to be here and I’m grateful for the opportunity. I can’t wait to get going.”

Lisa Evans
Lisa Evans was next through the door at Bristol City, with the winger signing until June 2025 after parting company with West Ham.

The Scotland international, 31, said: “I wasn’t really expecting to leave West Ham in this window.

“But the opportunity came along and I took it with both hands.”

Chelsea
Nathalie Bjorn
Chelsea raided Everton for versatile Swedish defender Nathalie Bjorn for their first purchase of the January sales.

Bjorn, 26, said: “To sign for one of the biggest clubs in Europe feels like part of a dream that you have when you are young. I’m very excited to get this journey started.”

Mayra Ramirez

The Blues dipped back into the market to sign Mayra Ramirez on a four-and-a-half-year deal — making her the most expensive women’s player in British history in the process. 

The striker, 24, said: “I am very honoured to be a part of Chelsea. To be part of such a huge club is a dream come true and one I’ve had since I was a little girl.”

Mayra Ramirez adds some serious firepower to Chelsea’s attack

 

Everton

Rikke Madsen

Everton entered the transfer market to sign forward Rikke Madsen on an 18-month deal. 

And the Dane, 26, immediately set her sights on making an impact in England following a spell in the US with NWSL side North Carolina Courage.

She said: “I’ve been eager to get to this club and to play in this league. I cannot wait to get started.”

Kathrine Moller Kuhl
Madsen followed Kathrine Moller Kuhl through the door following the young midfielder’s arrival on loan from Arsenal.

Expressing his delight at reuniting with the 20-year-old ace, Toffees boss Brian Sorensen said: “I took Kathrine up from the academy at Nordsjaelland and handed her a debut.

“It’s a good loan agreement as we sign a player who has strengths with through balls, her dynamics and the hard work she does off the ball.”

Leicester
Saori Takarada
Leicester kicked off their wheeling and deaing with a move for midfielder Saori Takarada.

Signed from Linkoping FC on an 18-month deal, the 24-year-old Japan international’s arrival provided a timely boost for Willie Kirk’s squad.

Yuka Momiki
The Foxes raided Linkoping FC once again to sign Japan international Yuka Momiki.

Momiki, 27, said: “I am so excited to be here and want to play as soon as possible.

“I want the fans to see how happy I am to be here and I can’t wait to see everyone.”

Asmita Ale
Asmita Ale joined Leicester on loan from Tottenham for the rest of the season to beef up their options in defence.

The versatile full-back, 22, said: “I am really excited to be here and grateful for the opportunity. This is a great club to come to and I’m looking forward to getting started.”

Emilia Pelgander
Leicester further strengthened their hand by signing midfielder Emilia Pelgander on a free following the expiration of her deal with Damallsvenskan side KIF Orebro.

The Swede, 19, said: “I’m really excited and grateful for this opportunity. I think Leicester have started a journey that I want to be on.”

Liverpool

No major arrivals

Manchester City

Poppy Pritchard

Title-chasing Manchester City waited until the last day of the window before making a move to bolster Gareth Taylor’s squad. 

Poppy Pritchard signed a three-and-a-half-year deal after parting company with Championship side Durham. 

The striker, 18, said: “The opportunities for a player my age to be playing in and around the best players in the world is just such a great chance and a really good challenge for me.”

Tara O’Hanlon 

Tara O’Hanlan was next through the door at City, with the defender handed a three-and-a-half-year contract. 

The 18-year-old starlet, who joined from Peamount United, said: “City’s playing style was a big consideration when choosing which club to go to. 

“I really liked the team’s style of play and I think this is the best place for me to learn as much as I can and develop as a player.”

Laura Blindkilde Brown

Laura Blindkilde Brown traded Aston Villa for Manchester City before the window closed
Laura Blindkilde Brown traded Aston Villa for Manchester City before the window closed

City saved their biggest signing until last as Laura Blindkilde Brown joined from Aston Villa for a reported £200,000. 

Following the 20-year-old midfielder’s departure, Villa said: “The club included a substantial buyout clause within Laura’s contract in February 2022 — a clause which has now been triggered.  

“While we are naturally disappointed to lose a player of Laura’s potential, the club wishes her the very best in her future endeavours.”

Manchester United

No major arrivals

Tottenham

Wang Shuang

Wang Shuang bolstered Tottenham’s squad when she arrived from NWSL side Racing Louisville on a deal running until 2026. 

China midfielder Wang, who turned 29 this month, has appeared at three World Cups and won 123 caps for her country. 

Matilda Vinberg
Swedish midfielder Matilda Vinberg had a number of WSL clubs chasing her signature but opted to join Tottenham.

Vinberg, 20, said: “It feels amazing to be here. This is the best club I could possibly be at right now.”

Charlotte Grant
Spurs quickly dipped back into the market to sign defender Charlotte Grant from Swedish club Vittsjo GIK.

The Aussie full-back, 22, said: “It’s definitely a dream come true and I’m excited to get started.

“What we are building here at the club is very special and something I wanted to be a part of.”

Read more: Playing for Vilahamn will Spur on Aussie star Grant
Amanda Nilden
Amanda Nilden became Tottenham’s fourth signing of the window when she joined on loan from Juventus for the rest of the season.

The Swedish defender, 25, said: “The club is building a good project and to be able to be part of that was big for me, so I’m very excited.”

West Ham

Kristie Mewis

West Ham got their January recruitment drive up and running by signing United States midfielder Kristie Mewis from NWSL champions NJ/NY Gotham FC.

The midfielder, 32, said: “I am delighted to be joining West Ham. 

“I have always wanted to play in the WSL and now that everything has fallen into place it feels like a dream come true.”

United States star Kristie Mewis has joined West Ham
United States star Kristie Mewis has joined West Ham

Read more: Hammers nail signing of United States midfielder Mewis

Shelina Zadorsky

The Hammers followed up the signing of Mewis by snapping up defender Shelina Zadorsky on loan from London rivals Tottenham. 

Canada international Zadorsky, 31, said: “I hope I can bring a new presence to the backline and help the team to more clean sheets in the second half of the season.”

Read more: Zadorsky keen to help Hammers reach potential after loan switch

Katrina Gorry

In a move that had been anticipated for some time, Katrina Gorry joined the Hammers as a free agent. 

The combative midfielder, 31, said: “The Women’s Super League is the league everyone is speaking about at the moment. 

“I want to challenge myself and play against and with the best players in the world.”

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