WSL done deals: Every January 2025 transfer | OneFootball

The January transfer window has officially opened and several Women's Super League (WSL) clubs have already welcomed some fresh faces into their ranks.

Chelsea sat comfortably at the top of the league as the WSL entered the winter break at the end of last year, six points ahead of second-place Manchester City.

However, clubs have since begun taking advantage of a new opportunity to bolster their squads with the opening of the January transfer window, in an attempt to move further up the league standings.

With a squad spread thin due to injury struggles, Brian Sorensen's Everton side have gotten business done early. Manchester City and Tottenham have also followed suit, whilst other clubs still weigh up their options.

90min takes a look at all the business that's been done so far...

Manchester City sign Rebecca Knaak

The Cityzens were faced with a piling list of injury woes as they crawled into the Christmas period, as captain Alex Greenwood underwent surgery on her knee. City haven't skipped a beat in the search for providing backup for the loss of the star defender, signing Rebecca Knaak on the opening day of the transfer window.

Knaak joins the Cityzens from FC Rosengard, where she won the Swedish Damallsvenskan league title in the 2024 season. The talismanic centre-back is a wall in defence, but can also provide a real attacking threat. Knaak scored 12 goals for Rosengard in the 2024 season, despite playing at the heart of defence.

The 28-year-old will be an important addition to Gareth Taylor's City side if they are to close the gap on Chelsea at the top of the WSL standings.

Everton welcome striker Kelly Gago

After struggling to get off the mark, Everton had a reform of momentum in the lead up to Christmas as they claimed a 2-1 win over Manchester City. Sorensen's side have also made a strong account for themselves against some of the top sides, holding Arsenal to a 0-0 draw at Emirates Stadium earlier in the season.

Hanging on by their finger nails, Everton are desperate for some fresh blood after losing Aurora Galli and Inma Gabarro to ACL injuries at the start of the campaign. The Toffees have now welcomed French striker Kelly Gago from FC Nantes.

The 26-year-old joined on an undisclosed fee, and will be sure to add flair to Sorensen's attack as the WSL enters the business-end of the season.

Everton have been further boosted by the addition of young Spanish star Martina Fernandez. The 20-year-old joins the Toffees on loan from Champions League holders FC Barcelona.

The central defender is well decorated on the international stage, winning back-to-back European Championships with the Under-19 Spanish team. The promising star comes with impressive versatility, able to play both centre-back and full-back.

Tottenham Hotspur sign Olivia Holdt

Despite fans expressing their early concerns, Tottenham currently occupy a solid sixth-place standing on the WSL table. Robert Vilahamn's side have displayed some positive signs in the early stages of the 2024/25 season, but are ultimately still feeling the loss of attacking partnership Grace Clinton and Celin Bizet, who departed the club for Manchester United last summer.

However, in an attempt to vill that void they've signed Danish attacker Olivia Holdt from Swedish side FC Rosengard. The 23-year-old has penned a deal that will see her in north-London until 2027.

Holdt was a prolific goalscorer during her two seasons at Rosengard, scoring 25 goals in 39 appearances for the club.

Arsenal academy prospect Laila Harbert pens professional deal

Arsenal announced that young academy star Laila Harbert penned her first professional deal with the club after turning 18 earlier in the month. Harbert is a bright prospect for the Gunners, having recently captained England at the Under-17s World Cup last October.

Hale End have birthed some brilliant talent for the Gunners, including England captain Leah Williamson, and 2023/24 Arsenal Player of the Season Lotte Wubben-Moy.

The exciting midfielder will hope to follow in the footsteps of the academy talent that came before her, as she puts pen to paper on a new deal.

Following 90min's earlier prediction that Jess Simpson would be sent out on loan, Manchester United have now confirmed the 19-year-old has joined Championship side Bristol City for the remainder of the season.

Having returned from her ACL injury in the latter stages of 2024, Simpson will now be provided with a chance to prove herself as she returns to City. The defender will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of teammate Grace Clinton, who also spent time on loan at the Robins after signing with United in 2022.

Everton sign Emma Watson on loan from Man United

Manchester United have confirmed the departure of another rising star, as 18-year-old Emma Watson leaves Carrington to join Everton on loan for the remainder of the 2024/25 season.

The Scottish midfielder made her return from an ACL injury in November, making her senior debut for the Red Devils in a 2-0 League Cup victory against Everton.

Guro Reiten pens new deal with Chelsea until 2026

Blues fans will be relieved to find out that Guro Reiten has put pen to paper on a new deal in Cobham that will see her remain at the club until 2026.

The Norwegian left-forward has been integral to Chelsea's league dominance since joining the club in 2019. Reiten has scored six goals in the 2024/25 season so far, and was named November Player of the Month.

Aniek Nouwen signs contract extension with Chelsea

Chelsea have been locking down their squad over the last week, as Aniek Nouwen also signed an extension. The 25-year-old has penned a new deal that will see her remain at the club until 2026.

The defender signed with the Blues in 2021, and has made just 21 appearances for the club. Nouwen spent time on loan with Serie A side AC Milan in the latter half of the 2022/23 season, before returning to Cobham in the summer.

Nouwen made just one appearance for the Blues during the 2023/24 season, before devastatingly rupturing her ACL while on international duty with the Under-23s Netherlands squad.

Louna Ribadeira recalled from loan by Chelsea

Chelsea have recalled forward Louna Ribadeira from her loan spell with Paris FC after signing with the Blues in the summer of 2024.

She penned a four-year deal with the WSL club, after spending three years with Paris FC. After being sent back to France on a loan spell for the 2024/25 season, Chelsea have now confirmed her return.