The recently concluded transfer window witnessed significant movements in women’s soccer, even amid the global spotlight on the men’s World Cup. High-profile transfers included Beth Mead’s shift from Arsenal to Manchester City, while Mary Earps and Georgia Stanway made their return to the Women’s Super League with London City Lionesses and Arsenal, respectively. Notably, Sam Kerr departed Chelsea to reunite with Gotham FC, and the standout move was Alexia Putellas’ transition from Barcelona to London City. Below are key transfers you may have overlooked during this busy period.
Alexandra Popp’s Move to Borussia Dortmund
Three-time Champions League winner Alexandra Popp is embarking on a new chapter, joining Borussia Dortmund after a lengthy 14-year tenure with Wolfsburg. Her three-year contract with the Tier 3 club highlights her determination to continue her career at 35. Throughout her time at Wolfsburg, Popp scored an impressive 112 goals in 219 matches and found the net 67 times for Germany before retiring from international play in 2024. As a lifelong supporter of Borussia Dortmund, she expressed enthusiasm for contributing to the development of the women’s team, established in 2020.
Kirsty Hanson Signs with Tottenham
Kirsty Hanson has emerged as a key target for Tottenham following an exceptional four-year run at Aston Villa. Last season, Hanson was the third-highest scorer in the Women’s Super League (WSL), netting 12 goals in 22 appearances. This accounted for 43% of Villa’s total points, leaving them just shy of second place, which was held by Alessia Russo. Now, joining a determined Tottenham squad, she provides manager Martin Ho with solid offensive options as the team aims for a top-four finish.
Allie Sentner Transfers to Angel City
Allie Sentner, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft, made headlines with a blockbuster $850,000 (£635,000) trade from Kansas City Current to Angel City on June 19. She made an instant impact, starting in a 2-0 victory over Orlando Pride on July 3. At just 22 years old, she has already amassed seven goals and three assists in 23 international appearances for the U.S. Women’s National Team, showcasing her potential for a bright future in the sport.
Felicia Schröder Joins Real Madrid
Felicia Schröder made a high-profile move from Hacken to Real Madrid, with Swedish media reporting her contract exceeds SEK 15 million (£1.15 million). The 19-year-old forward had a prolific stint at Hacken, scoring 91 goals in 128 matches, and she shone in UEFA’s inaugural Women’s European Cup by finishing as the top scorer with eight goals, including four in the final against Hammarby. This successful career trajectory has placed her on the radar of top clubs worldwide.
Manaka Matsukubo Transfers to Chelsea
The versatile Manaka Matsukubo, capable of playing both as a forward and an attacking midfielder, has signed with Chelsea from North Carolina Courage for an undisclosed fee, likely reflecting her rising value. The 21-year-old Japanese international recorded 11 goals and was notably the youngest player in NWSL history to net a hat trick. She was named NWSL Midfielder of the Year in 2025 and had five goals in nine games before Chelsea secured her services.
Joanna Ritting Canelid Transitions to OL Lyon
Former Chelsea star Joanna Ritting Canelid brings an impressive resume to OL Lyon, including three league titles and two FA Cups, as she ventures into new territory. Her departure adds to a wave of offensive transformations at Chelsea, where stars like Sam Kerr, Guro Leiten, and Katarina Macario have also left, all in a bid to reclaim the WSL title after Manchester City disrupted their six-year reign.
Noémie Mouchon Signs with Everton
After losing forward Kelly Gago to West Ham, Everton has bolstered its squad with Noémie Mouchon, who transitions from Leicester City. Despite a challenging stint at Leicester, where an anterior cruciate ligament injury sidelined her early in her campaign, the 23-year-old is looking to recapture her earlier form. Notably, she scored nine goals in 22 matches for Reims during the 2023-24 season, making her a valuable acquisition for Everton.
Denise O’Sullivan Rejoins Gotham on Loan
Midfielder Denise O’Sullivan is poised for her return to the NWSL, signing on loan with Gotham FC after a brief stint with Liverpool. The seasoned 32-year-old has a robust track record in the league, showcasing her skills over ten seasons with Houston Dash and North Carolina Courage, punctuated by winning the NWSL Shield in 2017, along with two NWSL Championships in 2018 and 2019. With 132 appearances and 22 goals for Ireland, O’Sullivan’s experience will be invaluable for Gotham.
Bethany England Moves to Crystal Palace
The transfer of Bethany England from Tottenham to Crystal Palace has left a mark on fans who fondly remember her impressive scoring record of 32 goals in three-and-a-half seasons, including guiding the team to the FA Cup final in 2024. Signing a two-year contract with Crystal Palace—freshly promoted after finishing second in WSL2—England brings deep experience, including four WSL titles, two FA Cups, and two League Cups from her time at Chelsea.
Kadidiatou Diani Signs with London City Lionesses
Amidst the buzz surrounding high-profile signings like Alexia Putelas and Mary Earps, the arrival of French forward Kadidiatou Diani from Lyon has quietly garnered attention. Acquired for over £500,000, the 31-year-old boasts an impressive scoring record—92 goals in 168 matches for Paris Saint-Germain and 41 in 93 for Lyon. With ambition driving the London City Lionesses, who aim to improve upon their last season’s sixth-place finish in the WSL, Diani’s experience could prove pivotal.
