FAWSL Summer Transfer Window

     The FAWSL returned to action last weekend after it's mid season break. The break represented a chance for clubs in both leagues 1 & 2 to bring in new faces, to strengthen or add some more depth to their squads ahead of what is going to be a very busy playing schedule in the latter part of the season. The summer transfer window opened on the 6th of June and closed on the 3rd of July.

    It hasn't been the frantic hive of business that we saw over the winter months but most of the clubs have done business in one form or another. Here is a summary of the comings and goings in the FAWSL.

 WSL 1

     It was Notts County Ladies who made the 1st move announcing the signing of Australian defender Danielle Brogan to add to the defensive line up having lost Anna Green through long term injury in early season. The Nottingham club have also brought in a striker to increase competition up front, Irish international Fiona O Sullivan who comes over from FC Freiburg in Germany where she has a good scoring record. There has also been a player departure with Courtney Sweetman-Kirk moving on.

     Last seasons WSL title winners Liverpool Ladies had been beset by injury to players in the early part of the season and have brought in Danish defender Nina Pedersen to bolster the back line. Have also sent young defender Megan Alexander out on loan. Have recently announced that Swedish player Louise Fors who has been out on loan back in Sweden with Alta IF is to take a break from football for family reasons.

     Chelsea Ladies have also looked overseas to bolster their squad by bringing in Portugese winger Ana Borges from Athletico Madrid, an experienced international with 56 caps.

    Fellow London club Arsenal Ladies most important signing during the summer break was going to be a head coach to replaced double FA Cup winner Shelley Kerr. For now they have placed John Bayer the technical director for their Centre of Excellence in temporary charge. No new signings but have a boost with injured England midfielder, Jordan Nobbs returning to training. One notable player departure on the penultimate day of the window however, Dutch international Anouk Hoogendijk leaving to return to Ajax. Hardly got any game time in the 1st part of the WSL season.

    Bristol Academy were more notable in the players departing the club after the 1st part of the season with 4 players leaving the club, Rhian Cleverly, Ellie Leek, Ellie Curson & Anne-Marie Heatherson all of whom featured very little under new manager Dave Edmondson. The club did make a signing late on however bringing in goalkeeping cover for Marys Earps in the form of Alice Evans from Yeovil Town Ladies.

    Birmingham City Ladies haven't brought anyone in but have released goalkeeper Jessica Myers and let striker Katie Wilkinson go out on loan.

    Manchester City Women left it till the final day of the transfer window to make a signing bringing in experienced German player Kathleen Radtke for the 2nd part of this seasons WSL campaign.

   That leaves Everton Ladies as the only WSL 1 club not to add or see any departures from their squad.

WSL 2

      In WSL 2 their has been a bit more transfer activity between the 10 clubs. On the day Courtney Sweetman-Kirk announced she was leaving Notts County Ladies it wasn't long before we learnt she was to take on a new challenge with the then WSL 2 leaders Doncaster Rovers Belles.

      Aston Villa Ladies was the destination for Katie Wilkinson going on loan till the end of the season from Birmingham City Ladies. Joining her from Birmingham is goalkeeper Jessica Myers.

     From the chasing pack Reading FC Women have been the busiest bringing in four new faces to bolster their squad, Laura-May Walkley from Cardiff Met Ladies and Megan Ryan from Arsenal reserves. Most surprising though was Bonnie Horwood from Watford Ladies. Reading manager Jayne Ludlow has also snapped up promising young Arsenal Ladies player Bianca Bragg on the final day of the transfer window.

    Yeovil Town Ladies strengthened their forward line by snapping up striker Ellie Curson after her release by Bristol Academy. Have also added Nicola Cousins from Cardiff City Ladies to their squad. Their only departure goalkeeper Alice Evans.

     London Bees left it late in the window to bring in new faces but have added midfielders Rebecca Anderson from Coventry Ladies, and Paula Howells from Brighton to their squad. A very notable departure in the closing days of the window as coach Tom Donati steps down from his position. Despite this the club have added Amy Cooper from Tottenham to their books on the final day of the transfer window.

     Watford Ladies have lost Bonnie Horwood to rivals Reading whilst Sunderland Ladies and Millwall Lionesses haven't seen anyone coming in or depart.

     That leaves the bottom two clubs Durham Women and Oxford United Women. Both have added to their squads. Durham Women have made three signings, bringing in midfielder Emily Scott from Middlesborough, along with Newcastle United Women's defenders Sarah Wilson and Natalie Henderson.

     Oxford United Women have brought in young Liverpool Ladies defender Megan Alexander on loan till the end of the season.

    A comparably quiet transfer window, the 2nd part of the season has to squeeze in 2 thirds of the matches left in 3 and a half months a lot of football to be played everyone's squads will be put to the test.

   UPDATE: A couple more signings were announced by WSL 1 clubs on the 4th of July, both from clubs who hadn't brought in any new players. Firstly Birmingham City Ladies signed Abbey-Leigh Stringer from Aston Villa Ladies.

      Arsenal Ladies added another midfielder to their playing staff bringing in German U23 international Turid Knaak in on loan for two months from Bayer Leverkusen.