W.S.L - Results, England and Other Related Women's News

Chelsea sign Montpellier defender Maelys Mpome until 2028..

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Women's Super League champions Chelsea have signed defender Maelys Mpome from Montpellier on a deal until 2028.

The 21-year-old is a French youth international and predominately plays as a centre-back.

She joined Montpellier - where Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor herself spent four years as a player - in 2020 and made 42 appearances for the French top-tier side, scoring three goals.

Mpome said becoming a Chelsea player is "just like living a dream to join such a big club".

Blues general manager Paul Green said Mpome has "good experience for her age" thanks to her development at Montpellier.

"She is a tall and athletic defender whose profile we believe will suit the WSL," he added.

Chelsea begin their WSL title defence against Aston Villa on 20th September at 7pm, live on the BBC.

Chelsea Women stop autographs at games over safety concerns..by Adam Millington, BBC Sport journalist

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Chelsea Women players will stop giving autographs and photos at their Kingsmeadow ground, with the club saying that doing so is "no longer safe or sustainable".

The London club say a fan advisory board and the women's side's supporters' group have reviewed the decision and given their support.

Increased attendances across the women's game have made it less feasible for players to be able to stop at the end of fixtures.

The supporters' group said it was a "tough decision" but an "essential one".

"There were occasions last season that led to concerns about the safety and security of both supporters and players, largely due to the rising numbers who are seeking signatures and selfies before and after games," Chelsea said.

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England's players now do a lap around the pitch after matches to allow fans to show their appreciation and - although there is no directive preventing Lionesses stopping for supporters - it is not always realistic for players to be able to meet the demands of larger crowds.

With their players no longer interacting after games, Chelsea say they will instead be hosting organised opportunities for meetings to occur away from matches.

Responding to the decision, the Chelsea Women Supporters Group posted on X: "We understand some fans will be disappointed with the changes.

"Matchdays have become unsafe inside and outside the stadium and players are getting unnecessary abuse if they don't stop."

Kingsmeadow, which was formerly the home of men's club AFC Wimbledon, has a capacity of nearly 5,000. Chelsea also play a number of games at Stamford Bridge.

Newcastle United Women sign Championship Golden Glove winner from rivals Sunderland..by Wilf Frith

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Newcastle United sign Barclays Women’s Championship Golden Glove winner and Sunderland Player of the Season Claudia Moan.

The 25-year-old goalkeeper kept ten clean sheets as Sunderland finished third in a very tight promotion race last season, earning league and club awards for her efforts.

Moan told newcastleunitedfc.com: “I am delighted to be joining Newcastle United, who have shown in the past two seasons that they are a very ambitious club.

“The set-up at the club is fantastic which is something I know will help me settle in very quickly.

“I will give everything I possibly can to the team and the fans, who I know give incredible support to the club. I can’t wait to get started next week.”

Manager Becky Langley added: “Claudia is a top goalkeeper and I worked with her previously when we won the league together at Northumbria University.

“Her stats from last season speak for themselves. The fact she won the Golden Glove and Player of the Season awards is absolutely fantastic when you look at the quality of players she was up against in that league. We’re really excited to see her join the club.”

Tottenham sign Hungary midfielder Anna Csiki until 2028..

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Tottenham have signed Hungarian international Anna Csiki from BK Hacken until 2028.

The 24-year-old midfielder joined Swedish side Hacken, known as Goteborg F***til 2020, four years ago and lifted the Damallsvenskan title - the highest league of women's football in Sweden - in the same year.

Csiki, who won the Swedish Cup with Hacken the following year, has made 69 appearances for the club and scored seven goals.

She has also been capped 40 times for Hungary since making her debut in 2017, scoring eight goals.

Spurs begin the Women's Super League season with a home game against Crystal Palace on Sunday, 22nd September (14:00 BST).

Ex-Liverpool keeper Rylee Foster offered Everton deal..by Emma Sanders, Senior Women's Football Reporter

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Former Liverpool goalkeeper Rylee Foster has been offered a short-term contract by Everton to join this summer.

Canadian Foster, 26, had been on trial with the Toffees since leaving New Zealand club Wellington Phoenix.

She spent three years at Liverpool between 2020-2023 but was in a life-threatening car accident which forced her to have emergency spinal surgery to mend seven neck fractures.

Foster was forced to wear a halo device to keep her neck immobilised and doctors said it was unlikely she would ever play football again.

However, she returned to action last season, making 19 appearances at Wellington Phoenix before leaving the club in July.

Everton have already signed former Liverpool winger Melissa Lawley this summer - one of six incomings.

Lauren Smith appointed England Women’s U-19 head coach..by Wilf Frith

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Lauren Smith becomes the new head coach of England Women’s Under-19s, following the end of her three-year spell in charge at Bristol City.

A UEFA Pro Licence holder, Smith earlier worked as assistant coach at Spurs and for Wales including over three years with their U-17s and U-19s squads.

Smith told englandfootball.com: “It’s a huge honour to be joining The FA. There’s never been a more exciting time to join the England pathway with more and more players transitioning through to the senior team. Nurturing young talent has always been one of my favourite elements of coaching and I feel incredibly privileged to have the opportunity to guide the next generation on their journeys to becoming Lionesses. It’s going to be a really exciting season with the ambition of qualifying for another European finals. I’m grateful to Kay Cossington for the opportunity and can’t wait to meet the players and staff.”

England women technical director Kay Cossington said: “We are so pleased to confirm Lauren as the new head coach of the WU19s. Her record and experience in player development speaks for itself. She knows exactly what it takes to get young players performing under pressure to the best of their abilities. We are thrilled to be able to appoint a head coach with invaluable experience in both the Barclays Women’s Super League and international football. I’m sure her arrival will give an instant positive boost at the start of what promises to be another exciting season for our Young Lionesses.”

John Griffiths, who was interim head coach of the WU19s last season and secured a semi-final finish at the EURO finals held in Lithuania, will resume his role as assistant coach of the age group.

The 2024/25 season will see Smith’s side bid for a place in the 2025 UEFA Women’s U-19 Championship finals which will be held in Poland next summer. Qualification for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup will also be up for grabs as part of the tournament.

Man Utd Women boss Marc Skinner boss hits back at myths over training facilities..By Megan FeringaFootball Writer

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Marc Skinner claimed criticism of training facilities used by Manchester United Women this summer “could not be further from the truth”, stressing that the team's move is the "best thing that could have happened".

United came under fierce censure in the summer after reports emerged of the women’s team being ejected from their £11 billion, state-of-the-art training facilities and moved into portacabins for the upcoming season to accommodate the men’s senior team, whose facilities at the Carrington Training Complex are undergoing a £50million renovation.

Skinner’s squad spent the summer training at the Football Association (FA) headquarters, St. George’s Park, before travelling to Marbella for a pre-season camp.

And Skinner, 41, has vociferously defended the training ground situation ahead of the new season.

“We need to get people in to come and see us and speak to us. What is reported on the outside honestly could not be further from the truth. It really couldn’t,” said Skinner.

“Everyone in our club has moved to encompass the growth of Carrington. It wasn’t ready for Manchester United Women four years ago. The club did fantastically well to spend on the new facility to get new pitches. When we moved to Carrington, it took time.

"The training pitches that we will have every day are better than St George’s Park. You would eat your breakfast off our pitches - they are incredible. That is a non-negotiable.”

Skinner took particular umbrage with the diction used around the women’s team’s move.

“[People claimed] ‘we’re training in barracks’, we’re not training in barracks,” said Skinner. “We are training in a facility that has been built on site for our players. It has all been branded up today and the girls will move into it tomorrow.

“From my perspective, everything is growing from there. We have better gym access and to the pool for recovery on site. Dan Ashworth and Omar Berrada have been fantastic and have both come in with real energy to speak to the group. They genuinely love women’s football and have a real burning ambition for it to be in the forefront of their direction. That will only improve.”

Sporting director Ashworth insisted that United's women's team would be an "important part" of his remit upon officially beginning his role, adding that the club are intent on building on the club's maiden Women's FA Cup triumph.

Ashworth's assurances arrived shortly after new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, now fully in charge of football operations at the club, generated uproar upon admitting that the plan for the women's team was "to be confirmed", adding that the men's first team took priority.

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Skinner believes the proximity of the women's, men's and academy teams will reap a valuable influence to club culture. The former Birmingham City manager shared a story of United men’s captain Bruno Fernandes coming to watch a women’s game after completing his training sessions.

Skinner said: “We played Blackburn in a pre-season friendly and in the car park, Bruno Fernandes walks past. They trained right in front of us while we ate so we got to see them as well. He came back, asked if we had a game then he came to watch the second half after he had showered and got changed. He spoke to all the players.

“The best thing that could have happened was the changing of the facilities because now we are constantly walking past each other and speaking. Me and Erik [ten Hag] will speak more because we see each other more. It’s been great.

"I didn’t know what it would be like at first but knowing we’re not downgrading any facilities – we’ve actually had an upgrade – and we would be seeing all of the teams, it feels like one club again. That’s a really strong movement I think we needed and we’ve got it now.

England midfielder Grace Clinton, who was on loan with Tottenham Hotspur last season but is set to play a crucial role in Skinner’s side this season, echoed her manager’s sentiments.

“We're not in portable buildings,” she said.

“From my experience so far in preseason, I've not been in a portable building, so I can't really speak on that. Obviously, there's a bit of moving around in places because we're trying to fit the academy, the women and the men in, but for me, so far, everything has been up to par, the gym, changing rooms.”

West Ham United Women sign Finland international Oona Siren..by Wilf Frith

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West Ham United have signed Finland international midfielder Oona Siren on a two-year contract from LSK Kvinner of Norway’s Toppserien.

She has 14 caps for her country and also the experience of playing in the UEFA Women’s Champions League six times.

Siren told West Ham TV: “I’m really excited to be joining West Ham United. It feels amazing to be here.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge of playing in England. I know the Barclays Women’s Super League is the best league in the world and I want to test myself against the best players and the best teams.

“My experience of playing for Finland and in the Champions League has given me the motivation to keep pushing to be the best player I can be. I know that coming to West Ham and working in this environment will help my development as a player. I can’t wait to get started.”

Head coach Rehanne Skinner told whufc.com: “Oona is a young, exciting player with a huge amount of talent and potential. We have been impressed with her consistency for LSK Kvinner and I’m sure her work ethic and tenacity will allow her to adjust to the demands of the Barclays Women’s Super League.

“Oona is an attacking midfielder who fits our style of play and, as a forward-thinking attacking midfielder with versatility across multiple positions, I’m sure she will be a real asset to the team moving forwards.”

13th September 2024

Women's Super League

Michelle Agyemang [Arsenal - Brighton] Loan

Veerle Buurman [PSV Eindhoven - Chelsea] Undisclosed

Veerle Buurman [Chelsea - PSV Eindhoven] Loan

Li Mengwen [Brighton - West Ham] Loan

Gabi Nunes [Levante - Aston Villa] £250k

Maite Oroz [Real Madrid - Tottenham] Undisclosed

Nikita Parris [Manchester United - Brighton] Undisclosed

Poppy Pritchard [Manchester City - Crystal Palace] Loan

Katie Stengel [FC Gotham - Crystal Palace] Loan

Lily Woodham [Seattle Reign - Crystal Palace] Loan


Women's Championship

Sofia Jakobsson [San Diego Wave - London City Lionesses]

Lee Geum-min [Brighton - Birmingham]