WSL sides Brighton and London City Lionesses sign Real Sociedad pair | OneFootball

WSL clubs Brighton & Hove Albion and London City Lionesses have completed the transfers of Real Sociedad pair Manuela Vanegas Catano and Sanni Franssi, respectively.

On Friday morning, London City Lionesses confirmed the signing of Finnish foward Franssi.

Not long after, Brighton announced that they were signing Colombian defender Manuela Vanegas Catano.

Both players bring international experience to the WSL. Franssi started in Finland’s 1-0 victory over Iceland in the opening game of Women’s Euro 2025.

Catano meanwhile is expected to represent Colombia at the Copa America Femenina, which kicks off on Saturday, July 12th.

WSL summer transfers: Who is new London City signing Sanni Franssi?

London City Lionesses signing Sanni Franssi is a 30-year-old Finnish striker, who brings huge experience to the newly promoted WSL side.

Early in her career, she won three Finnish league titles with PK-35 Vantaa. She also spent one season at Juventus, where she scored 10 goals in 21 games, helping the Italian side win the league title in 2018.

After two years at Danish club Fortuna Hjorring, she joined Real Sociedad in the summer of 2020.

At the Spanish club, she scored 39 goals in 162 appearances. She also has tremendous experience for Finland, scoring seven goals in 92 outings.

In a message to London City Lionesses fans on social media, she said: “I am very excited to join the club. I am excited to meet you guys and can’t wait to get started and play in the Women’s Super League.”

The London City Lionesses previously signed Danielle van de Donk from Lyon in the summer transfer window. However, they missed out on the signing of former Barcelona star Ingrid Engen who instead joined Lyon.

Why did Brighton sign Manuela Vanegas Catano?

Brighton head coach Dario Vidosic has explained why the club signed Colombian defender Manuela Vanegas Catano.

He said: “It’s exciting to welcome Manuela to the squad. She’s a solid defender who is both reliable at defending and threatening moving forward.

“Her energy and creativity will be a real asset for us as we push towards our goals this season.”

She began her career at Formas Intimas in Colombia before having spells at Envigado FC, Atletico Huila, Independiente Medellín, and RCD Espanyol.

She joined Real Sociedad in 2021 and scored 10 goals in 96 appearances for the club.

On the international stage, she played a key part as Colombia were runners-up in the 2022 Copa America Femenina.

Her most notable moment on the global stage was at the 2023 World Cup where she scored a dramatic 97th minute winner against Germany. It ended Germany’s unbeaten group stage record at the tournament, which had lasted since 1995.

She is Brighton’s third signing of the summer. Moeka Minami joined from Roma, while goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie arrived from Paris FC.