Man City Strike Early in Transfer Window
WOMEN’S FOOTBALL WEEKLY
We’re still deep in the winter break, but football is finally back next weekend🎉. In the meantime, here’s our round-up of this week’s news, transfers and favourite finds including:
Top Headlines: New purpose-built women’s stadium coming to the WSL
Kit Drop: Leah Williamson x Bronze Jacket
Fave Finds: Winter wedding season continues
Inside Track: All the transfers from the window so far
+ What we’re watching + Jobs in football + Injury update
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🚨ICYMI
Top Headlines
🏟️ Brighton has confirmed they aim to build their new purpose-built women’s stadium by the 2027/28 season. Deputy chairman Paul Barber said the move gives the women’s team respect and focus as they seek to grow their audience and programme.
🇺🇸 Denver will be the 16th NWSL franchise after agreeing a $110 million expansion fee. It’s the biggest fee ever paid, double the previous $53 million record.
📚 WHAT WE’RE READING
Stories we enjoyed this week
👀 FAVE FINDS
Winter weddings continue
There’s been another one! Spurs striker, Martha Thomas married her partner Ellie Leek over the winter break. Congratulations to Mrs & Mrs Thomas-Leek.
Women’s Football Weekly - BBC Radio 5 Live
Esme Morgan talks about life in the NWSL as she joins Ellen White, Jen Beattie and Ben Haines in a New Year’s Eve Special.
Listen here
✍️ INSIDE TRACK
City bags Greenwood cover as transfer window opens
Harbert / Knaak / Holdt
Arsenal
Laila Harbert, defensive midfielder and England U17s captain has signed her first professional contract with Arsenal after progressing through their academy system since age nine.
Chelsea
Rumour has it that Chelsea wants to extend the contracts of Millie Bright, Kadeisha Buchanan and Erin Cuthbert. All three will be free agents this summer.
Crystal Palace
Palace defender, Hayley Nolan, has extended her contract to 2026.
Everton
Everton has successfully brought in some defensive reinforcement until the end of the season. Martina Fernandez joins on loan from Barcelona, bringing versatility, able to play as a centre or full back.
Liverpool
The BBC has reported that Sam Kerr (of the Scotland/Bayern Munich variety) is a loan target for Matt Beard in this window.
Manchester City
Rebecca Knaak arrives in Manchester from FC Rosengård for an undisclosed fee. Knaak provides much-needed cover for Greenwood who suffered an MCL injury and had surgery in December.
Manchester United
Could Hayley Ladd be on the move? Crystal Palace, Liverpool and Spurs have all shown an interest in signing the Welsh International, who is looking for more minutes ahead of Wales’ first-ever Euros.
Spurs
Olivia Holdt | Attacking midfielder | Contract to 2027 | From FC Rosengård - Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs will hope Holdt packs her shooting boots after an impressive 13 goals and seven assists in 18 appearances for FC Rosengård last season.
Spurs are in the market for a new goalie and it’s rumoured BK Hacken’s, Jennifer Falk could be a target.
ELSEWHERE:
Canada International, Quinn (defensive midfielder) has departed Seattle Reign
Former Brentford manager Lydia Bedford has joined the Northern Super League’s Calgary Wild
Jéssica Silva (forward) will stay at NY/NC Gotham until summer 2025 after extending her contract
Brazilian international Yasim Ribeiro (left back) has signed for Real Madrid
👟 KIT DROP
Williamson x Bronze
Leah Williamson was spotted wearing an Antonia Bronze custom jacket as she arrived back to training after the winter break
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🩼 ACL WATCH + INJURY UPDATES
Chelsea ACL duo step up recovery
Sam Kerr (the Matilda’s/Chelsea variety) took another positive step in her ACL rehab, joining Chelsea on their warm weather training camp in Portugal. Mia Fishel, recovering from an ACL injury suffered last February, also joined the squad.
Both players will be concentrating on their own training and recovery programme during the trip. Bompastor said Kerr is expected back in Feb/March time this year.
🛋️ DITCH THE SOFA
Dates for the diary…
Subway Women’s League Cup Final
Saturday 15 March 2025, Pride Park, Derby, 12.15KO
Early Bird tickets are now available, adults £10, Kids £5
Women’s Football Fair
Saturday 15 March 2025, 10:00-16:00, Doors 9:45, Edgbaston Park Hotel
Meet inspiring players, connect with other football fans, and explore a wide range of women’s football vendors including shirts, fan art, memorabilia, and more.
Tickets £5, Early Bird £2.88
📺 WATCHLIST
Women's FA Cup Fourth Round
Eight matches will be broadcast over the weekend, a full list of fixtures is available here
Saturday 11 January
12:30 - Brighton & Hove Albion vs Durham [YouTube, The FA Player]
17:15 - Manchester United vs West Brom [YouTube, The FA Player]
Sunday 12 January
12:00 - Fulham vs London City Lionesses [BBC Red Button, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, The FA Player]
12:30 - Arsenal vs Bristol City [YouTube, The FA Player]
13:00 - Manchester City vs Ipswich Town [YouTube, The FA Player]
14:00 - London Bees vs Rugby Borough [YouTube, The FA Player]
14:00 - West Ham United vs Liverpool [YouTube, The FA Player]
15:00 - Chelsea vs Charlton Athletic [YouTube, The FA Player]
ELSEWHERE…
WSL is back: 17-19 January - Fixtures
Subway Women’s League Cup: 22 January - Quarter Final Fixtures
Women’s Champions League: The quarter-final and semi-final draw will be held on Friday 7 February
📂 JOBS, JOBS, JOBS
More Women Working in Football
Women's EURO Interns | UEFA | Apply by 10 Jan
Soft Tissue Trainee Programme | Brentford FC | Apply by 10 Jan
Media Rights and Broadcaster Services Intern | UEFA | Apply by 10 Jan
Social Media Executive | Crystal Palace | Apply by 12 Jan
Senior Asset Manager | Arsenal | Apply by 30 Jan
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More women watching, playing and working in football