10 new Ladies's Tremendous League gamers to get enthusiastic about

The 2024-25 Women’s Super League (WSL) season kicks off this weekend and, forward of the primary spherical of fixtures, we check out a few of the greatest enterprise from the summer season.

Much like last year, we’re solely together with gamers who’re new to the league, so these like Dominique Janssen (who moved to Manchester United from Wolfsburg however has beforehand performed for Arsenal) or Vivianne Miedema (who signed for Manchester City from Arsenal) don’t characteristic, although each might be key to their respective groups.

Mariona Caldentey, 28, FW, Arsenal

Of all of the gamers to maneuver to the WSL this summer season, there are few as effectively often called Mariona. A World Cup winner with Spain, she claimed three Women’s Champions League titles throughout her time with Barcelona however moved to Arsenal on a free switch. A winger by definition, the 28-year-old is at her greatest when she will drift across the ahead line, pulling defenders out of place to open up house for her teammates to assault. Her intelligence and studying of the sport will solely assist the Gunners as they appear to bridge the hole to Chelsea and Man Metropolis on the high of the league.

Aoba Fujino, 20, FW, Manchester Metropolis

Quick-tracked into the senior Japan squad two years in the past, Fujino already has 24 caps regardless of being solely 20 years outdated, and that ought to assist ease the transition from the WE League’s Tokyo Verdy Beleza to the WSL. A artistic attacker who is sweet on the ball, Metropolis followers can anticipate to see Fujino concerned within the buildup greater than scoring targets. However, alongside her midfield compatriot Yui Hasegawa, she may go down as one of many smarter signings for Metropolis.

Inma Gabarro, 21, FW, Everton

Capable of play throughout the assault as effectively in midfield, Gabarro caught the attention for Spain through the U-20 World Cup in 2022 together with her spectacular objective scoring and talent to strike the ball with unerring precision. Already off the mark for the senior group, the 21-year-old was hamstrung by the glut of established expertise in Spain and makes her first foray exterior of Liga F by leaving Sevilla. The transfer to the WSL mustn’t solely give the attacker a platform to develop her recreation however add a lot wanted versatility to Everton‘s assault.

Rosa Kafaji, 21, FW, Arsenal

Kafaji has been “one to observe” for a while, however the 21-year-old introduced herself to ladies’s soccer followers throughout Europe final season with 4 targets for Swedish aspect BK Häcken within the Champions League. A decided attacker who favours progressive play and is robust on the ball, Kafaji made the transfer from AIK to Häcken in 2022 to assist her recreation develop, and the switch to Arsenal ought to maintain the Sweden worldwide on an upward trajectory. Mixed with Mariona, the Gunners’ two new signings ought to add greater than slightly unpredictability to an assault that routinely fell into the identical patterns final season.

Noémie Mouchon, 21, FW, Leicester Metropolis

Mouchon loved a wholesome objective return at Stade de Reims, the place she performed beneath new Leicester City boss Amandine Miquel, and it was no shock to see the coach waste no time in recruiting the 21-year-old. The 5-foot-9 Mouchon impressed in Leicester’s pre-season marketing campaign, showcasing her potential to play throughout the assault, and she or he is adept at setting targets up as she is scoring them.

Maite Oroz, 26, CM, Tottenham

A deadline day signing who may grow to be one of many first names on Tottenham Hotspur‘s teamsheet, Oroz is the kind of midfielder who lays the foundations for these round her, lifting the whole group. Identified for her line-breaking passes and lightness of contact, the pure deep-lying playmaker is one other spectacular import from Liga F.

Kiko Seike, 28, FW, Brighton

Defender, midfielder, ahead, Seike can do all of it — or most of it, at the very least. Contemporary off successful the WE League’s MVP in 2023-24 with Urawa Reds, the Japan worldwide massively stepped up her objective scoring over final season (netting 29 instances throughout all competitions) however her virtuosity is what makes her such a canny choose up by the Seagulls. One among many new faces on the South Coast, success for Brighton & Hove Albion may relaxation on how briskly the items come collectively beneath new boss Dario Vidosic. However with signings like Seike, there’s little query in regards to the expertise within the squad.

Chantelle Swaby, 26, CB, Leicester Metropolis

For all of the switch exercise we have seen within the ladies’s recreation over the previous few months, there have been solely a handful of centre-backs shifting to WSL golf equipment, which places the Jamaica worldwide within the minority. Boasting heaps of skilled from her time with the Reggae Girlz, in addition to spells within the U.S., Scotland and France, Swaby ought to add stability to a Leicester backline that was shaky final season.

Kinga Szemik, 27, GK, West Ham United

There have been just a few goalkeepers who made the change to the WSL this summer season, however West Ham United landed themselves a brand new No. 1. Filling the outlet left behind by veteran Mackenzie Arnold, who has joined Portland Thorns FC, Poland worldwide Szemik is an old-fashioned shot-stopper, adapt at utilizing her 6-foot body to repel the ball with an outstretched glove or boot.

Paula Tomás, 23, LB/RB, Aston Villa

A switch that may have slipped beneath the radar for some, Aston Villa paid an undisclosed charge to signal the Spain worldwide full-back from Levante. Tomás is comfy on each the proper and left aspect of the defence, is a powerful one-vs.-one defender, and instances her interceptions in addition to she locations her crosses into the field. However, in contrast to a few of her contemporaries, she likes to chop inside when venturing into the ultimate third moderately than staying large.