As the transfer window just opened, let's talk about some crazy and amazing free transfers we have seen in the women's game in recent years around Europe.
First, Lucy Bronze moved back to the WSL from Barcelona to Chelsea. She came into this side last summer, and Sonia Bompastor, then manager of Lyon, spoke to her after the Champions League final to get her to go to Chelsea.
She came in to add experience to the squad and support captain Millie Bright. She is a Champions League winner and, at the time of signing, had won England in six major tournaments and one Olympics.
She is versatile and can play both RB and LCB, which is ideal in case of any injuries.
Mariona Caldentey was another massive loss for Barcelona last summer. She provided experience and Champions League pedigree to help them beat Barca in the final.
She is incredibly creative and helped to reduce the strain on players like Beth Mead and Katie McCabe to ensure rotation and depth, something Arsenal have lacked and made them vulnerable in the last few years
Kadidiatou Diani moved from PSG to Lyon in 2023, but she was their best player and top scorer in the French capital. She moved to the south of France to strengthen Lyon, hoping to weaken a rival. Her pace and goal threat perfectly complemented Ada Hegerberg, the first female Ballon d’Or winner. He has hit double digits in goals and assists and made an immediate impact in the Champions League.
Next on the list are two players who left Chelsea in the summer of 2023: Pernille Harder and Magdalena Eriksson. They are now fiancées and moved to Bayern Munich on a free. Chelsea lost their captain and a prolific player up front.
Harder moved to Germany after she overcame a long-term injury that impacted her final season at Chelsea. This move was a bonus for Bayern because it allowed them to rotate their forwards and add experienced finishers to the squad for crucial big games.
When Magdalena Eriksson left the club with her partner, she brought Chelsea captaincy experience and top-level defensive organisation to German football. She also brought leadership and experience to Bayern after they missed out on key titles.
Alessia Russo wanted to move to Arsenal in January 2023, and they even made a bid for her. Still, Manchester United was not interested in letting her go early before her contract ended, even if they got a small payout to break it. Arsenal needed a reliable striker after ACL injuries to Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema. She fitted in with the system the manager used, and then could play with her back to goal. This was a significant loss for United and showed how far behind their women's team was from other WSL rivals.
Vivanne Miedema moved away from Arsenal as he desired more minutes on the pitch and a possible souring relationship with the manager. She asked to end her contract. City gained the WSL’s all-time top scorer on a free transfer. Miedema offers flexibility as a No.10 striker and a false nine in City’s fluid attack. She came in after recovering from her ACL injury and now links well with Lauren Hemp and Bunny Shaw.
Ona Batlle is a staple now for Barcelona. He moved from Manchester United in 2023. The RB was free and a massive upgrade for the Spanish champions after Marta Toorejon aged out of the starting XI. It was another poor decision from United to let a great player leave. Batlle returned to her home country and slotted in seamlessly into Barca’s build-up-heavy system. Her pace and overlapping runs balance the left-sided dominance of Fridolina Rolfo.
Danielle van de Donk, who this transfer moved from one Michelle Kang club to another on a free, but let's go back to 2021. She moved from Arsenal as she was no longer playing in her preferred position on the pitch, and after 6 years in North London, she wanted a new club. She moved to Lyon, and as a dynamic box-to-box midfielder with a killer instinct and leadership experience, she became a crucial player in their Champions League run, an area of ambition Arsenal could not provide her.
The final primary free transfer was Irene Paredes from PSG to Barcelona in 2021. This was a great signing, as Barca added a commanding centre-back and PSG’s captain. She also brought aggression, aerial dominance, and leadership—a perfect fit with Mapi Leon. Paredes helped Barca win the Champions League and dominate domestically after her arrival.
Wow, we have seen some excellent free transfers. What have been your favourites? Let me know.
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