With the new WSL season kicking off in just eight days time with a Merseyside derby next Friday, this is Transfer Deadline Day. Here are all the signings we are aware of…..
Chloe Chivers – Cardiff City Ladies to Oxford United
Oxford United have signed Chloe Chivers, who scored 23 goals for Cardiff City last season in the Premier League and has also cemented herself a place in the Wales senior team, making it double figures in appearances and a handful of goals.
Chivers told oxfordunitedwfc.co.uk: “It’s a great club to be a part of and a stepping stone for me personally, surrounded by experienced WSL 1 and 2 players so I can learn a lot from them too going into the season.”
“I’ll give 100% on the pitch, strength and physicality as I know this won’t be an easy step so I’ll have to match my opponents and be physical, and I’ll hopefully get some goals along the way too”
Manager Andy Cook commented: “To finally confirm this signing is brilliant. Having seen Chloe play she is exactly what we are looking for in a centre forward. She is young and determined to be successful but has a lot to learn and this step up will be a huge development point for her. I believe she could be one of the very best forwards in the WSL.”
Maddy Cusack – Aston Villa to Birmingham City
Cusack, described as a ‘combative midfielder’, said in a statement: “It’s a new chapter for me and I’m looking forward to see what the future holds.
“The hard work starts now and I can’t wait to begin this new part of my career at Birmingham City Ladies.”
Bethany England – Chelsea to Liverpool (loan)
Liverpool have completed the loan signing of England U-23 international Bethany England, the versatile 23-year-old joins on loan from Chelsea for the 2017-18 season.
On making the move, she told liverpoolfc.com: “The squad at Liverpool Ladies is a young, ambitious squad and I am really confident that we can have a successful season.
“I am at an age now where I want to be playing more regularly, so this move is a really exciting one and I am already looking forward to the Merseyside derby on September 22.”
Manager Scott Rogers said: “Bethany is an extremely talented player who is very creative and will no doubt add more goals to our team.
“The fact that she has already played in the FA WSL 1 is a big bonus as she won’t need much time settling in and I believe she will be a key player for us this season.”
Florence Fyfe – Arsenal to Oxford United
Fyfe has spent a majority of her playing career working her way through the Arsenal set up and had won the FA Youth Cup with the Gunners.
Manager Andy Cook told oxfordunitedwfc.co.uk: “Flo is a fantastic young footballer, she has a lot to learn on the positional and defensive side of the game but her ability on the ball is why we have taken her.”
Lucy Gillett – Watford to Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton have signed a second goalkeeper in as many days, the arrival of Lucy Gillett from Watford following on from England U-20 and British Universities custodian joining from Reading.
Assistant first-team manager Amy Merricks said to seagulls.co.uk: “It is brilliant that we’ve managed to strengthen our goalkeeping ranks even further with the signing of Lucy.
“Following the departures of Emma [Byrne] and Faye [Baker], it was vital to add an experienced player in this position, and Lucy certainly fits the bill.”
Coral Haines – Birmingham City to Tottenham Hotspur (loan)
WSL newcomers Spurs take midfielder Coral Haines on a season-long loan from Birmingham City.
Haines has been capped at U-19 and U-20 level by England, with also some Champions League experience under her belt.
Kasia Lipka – Doncaster Rovers Belles to Sunderland
Sunderland have bolstered their ranks by bringing in four more players, along with Kasia Lipka comes midfielder Zaneta Wyne from Icelandic side Thor, forward Simona Koren from MSV Duisburg, while Tyler Dodds rejoins after a spell with Durham.
Lisa Milliken – Stevenage to London Bees
Head Coach Luke Swindlehurst commented on londonbeeswsl.com:
“We are delighted to have a young talented player join London Bees. Having seen Lisa play I knew she had all the attributes to warrant making an approach to sign her.
“She has pace, stamina and good technical ability. At 17 she will develop with every session and game which is an exciting prospect.”
Chloe Peplow – Birmingham City to Doncaster Rovers Belles (loan)
England U-19 international Chloe Peplow signs for Doncaster on-loan from Birmingham City until 31st December.
18-year-old Peplow has captained the England U 19 side on occasion and featured off the bench in the 2017 FA Cup final for Birmingham at Wembley.
And after a taste of first team football at Birmingham, the youngster is looking forward to building on her fast growing reputation at the Keepmoat this season.
She told doncasterroversbelles.co.uk: “It’s a good club with a good history and I’m looking forward to getting going. There’s some good, experienced players in the squad so I’m looking to getting started.”
Courtney Sweetman-Kirk – Doncaster Rovers Belles to Everton
The 26-year-old has joins Everton for an undisclosed fee and has penned a two-year deal.
Sweetman-Kirk (pictured top) admits it has been a “hectic couple of days” but believes she has joined a Club that can help her fulfil her international ambitions with England.
“Personally, I want to finish high on the goalscoring charts, and I am after international recognition too. It is something I have done at junior level and I feel like I am ready to make that step up now. Hopefully I can achieve that with Everton.”
Lorca Van De Putte – Kristianstads DFF to Bristol City
Bristol City have brought in Lorca Van De Putte from Kristianstads DFF, the 29 year-old has made over 50 appearances for Belgium.
After making the move to England, Van De Putte said: “The way the Vixens play the game suits my style of play and I can’t wait to contribute to the team this season.”
Manager Willie Kirk spoke of his latest recruit: ““Upon thoroughly assessing all three potential [left back] options, it was quite obvious to me that Lorca was the best fit for the club in terms of on and off the pitch.
“She offers us great experience, can play in a number of different roles on the pitch and is physically and technically very good.”
Viki Wotton – Watford to Millwall Lionesses
Millwall Lionesses have made their fourth signing of the 2017/2018 season as the transfer window comes to a close today. Defender, Viki Wotton signs a 1 year contract.
Corinne Yorston – Bristol City to Oxford United (loan)
Defender Yorston said of the move to Oxford: “They haven’t had the most successful of seasons over the last couple of years, finishing in the bottom two the last two seasons, but I think that will change this year…. They’ve strengthened their squad massively since then.”
