LCFC Women

Brighton & Hove Albion have confirmed that Dario Vidosic will become their new head coach having signed a contract until 2027.  Vidosic joins Albion from A-League side Melbourne City who he led to the league title last season.  His playing career saw him turn out for clubs in Australia, Germany, New Zealand, China, India and Switzerland as well as winning 23 caps for Australia.  Joining the Seagulls with him as assistant manager is Chris Roberts, formally of Everton.  Vidosic will come to the UK once his work permit is processed.

Leicester City have announced the appointment of Amandine Miquel as their new first team manager.  Miquel has signed a three-year contract after seven years with French Premiere Ligue side Stade de Reims.  The 40-year-old guided Reims to a fourth-place finish in the league last season.  On joining the Foxes, Miquel said, “I am very excited for this new project.  Right now, the WSL is one of the best leagues in the world and it’s the place to be.  I am very pleased that I have the opportunity to be here”.

Japanese defender Risa Shimizu has joined Manchester City where she has signed a three-year contract.  The 28-year-old had spent the last two seasons with West Ham United where she made 44 appearances and scored one goal and has previously won trophies with Tokyo Verdy Beleza.  She has won 78 caps for Japan and featured at the Olympics and World Cups.  After joining the Cityzens, the full-back commented, “first of all, it will be a challenge, but one I’m ready for.  City play football with a high possession style, which I like.  I think I’m technically good and calm with the ball in possession, so I think I’ll play well in City’s style”.

Manchester United have announced the permanent signing of France international Melvine Malard on a contract until the end of the 2026/27 season.  The forward spent last season on loan at United from Lyon and she made 29 appearances and scored seven goals.  Malard remarked, “I am very happy to make my stay here at Manchester United permanent, after this great club and this great city became my home last season.  Here I felt loved.  Thank you to the fans for welcoming me so well, I will do what it takes to give you even more than last season and I look forward to more winning seasons together.”

Katie Robinson has signed for Aston Villa on a two-year deal following the expiry of her contract with Brighton & Hove Albion.  The 21-year-old made 68 appearances and scored 10 goals for the Seagulls after making her senior debut in 2020.  She spent the 2021/22 season on loan at Championship side Charlton Athletic.  The forward has won five senior England caps and was part of the squad at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.  Villans Manager Robert de Pawu believes Robinson is “a player who can be a difference-maker in games”.

Aston Villa have signed Spanish international Paula Tomas from Levante for an undisclosed fee.  The left-back has joined on a two-year deal, with the option for a further year.  The 22-year-old has won two senior caps.  The Villans manager Robert de Pauw said, “Paula is a young and versatile player that can play as a full-back on both sides.  She is able to defend well and also go up the flanks in attack.  I think she will bring intelligence and determination to the team.  I’m happy the club were able to bring her here.”

Dutch defender Marit Auee has signed for Brighton & Hove Albion, joining them from FC Twente.  The 22-year-old won an Eredivisie title, the Dutch FA Cup, two super Cups and two Eredivisie League Cups during her two seasons with Twente.  Auee has represented the Netherlands at various youth levels.

It has been confirmed that Scotland international Rachel McLauchlan has joined Brighton & Hove Albion.  The defender had spent the last three seasons with SWPL side Rangers and has also played for Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Aberdeen, Hibernian, Yeovil Town and Glasgow City.  McLauchlan has won numerous honours during her career including two Scottish titles and five Scottish FA Cups.  The 27-year-old has made 23 appearances for her country since making her international debut in 2016.

West Ham United have announced the signing of Chile international Camila Saez on a two-year contract.  The defender joins the Hammers after leaving Madrid CFF at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.  She won titles in her native Chile before moving to play in Spain in 2017.  29-year-old Saez has been capped 71 times by her county and was in squads for the 2019 World Cup and Tokyo Olympics.  On joining, Saez said, “I’m really excited to be here and I hope to repay the trust the club have shown to bring me to east London.”

Bex Rayner has signed for Brighton & Hove Albion after leaving Championship side Sheffield United.  The midfielder had two spells with the Blades and made over 100 appearances for them.  The 24-year-old came through Leeds United’s academy before joining Doncaster Rovers Belles where she won the WSL 2 title in 2018.

19-year-old goalkeeper Hannah Poulter has joined Brighton & Hove Albion, signing her first professional contract.  Poulter came through Reading’s academy, featuring on the bench for the Royals senior team aged just 16, and spent the last year in the United States playing for the University of Southern California.  She has represented England at youth levels and is in the under-19 squad for the upcoming Euros in Lithuania.

Crystal Palace have announced that Elise Hughes has signed a new two-year contract with an option of a further year. The Wales international joined the Eagles in 2022 and has made 52 appearances and scored 30 goals in all competitions for them.  Hughes won the Championship Golden Boot last season when she found the net 16 times in the league as Palace won the title.  The 23-year-old ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament in their penultimate game of the season and has already undergone surgery and started her rehabilitation.

Fliss Gibbons has signed a new one-year contract with Crystal Palace ahead of their first season in the WSL.  The full back joined them in 2022 from Brighton & Hove Albion and has made 40 appearances in all competitions for the Eagles.  Gibbons recorded a league-leading eight assists as Palace won the Championship last season. 

Chelsea have announced that 18-year-old academy defender Greta Humphries has signed her first professional contract with the club until the summer of 2025, with the option to extend for a further year.  After signing, Humphries said, “It’s a very proud and exciting moment for me and my family.  It’s my dream come true to sign a professional contract at this club.  It’s the club my family and I have supported our entire lives.  I’m so grateful to be given an opportunity here and I can’t wait to get started.”

West Ham United’s Princess Ademiluyi and Soraya Walsh have both signed their first professional contracts with the club.