As the January transfer window has opened, let's look back at the best and biggest women’s football January transfers. The January transfer window is viewed very differently from the summer one. It's about short-term solutions, filling gaps, and ensuring the squad's depth remains available even after players get injured. It’s a time for clubs to reflect on the first half of the season and what they need to do in the second half, or what they need to bring in. January is the window clubs look at Scandinavia and the US for players, as their seasons are over, and players are more likely to be available on a free transfer.
Last year, we saw a record signing of Naomi Girma. This was a highly anticipated transfer that had been rumoured for a long time before being confirmed ahead of Chelsea v Arsenal at Stamford Bridge. The USWNT defender moved from San Diego Waves for around £890,000-£900,000. The first time a transfer fee in women’s football exceeded $1 million.
Girma said upon signing, “I’m so happy and really excited to be here. It doesn’t feel real… Chelsea’s culture, winning mentality, staff, and players made it an easy choice.”
Ahead of her arrival, she was described as a world-class defender and in the prime of her career. Girma had interest elsewhere from Arsenal and Lyon.
She joined the second half of Chelsea's unbeaten season in domestic football. She helped them with the domestic treble. This was Chelsea's sixth consecutive WSL title. Girma integrated into the defensive setup.
She contributed defensively across league and cup matches, helping maintain Chelsea’s solidity at the back. While individual defensive metrics vary by game, she’s seen as a key part of the re-shaped back line since her arrival.
Chelsea also remained competitive in the UEFA Women’s Champions League with her in the squad.
Chelsea is a club that will put their money where their mouth is, especially when making big signings or more under-the-radar stars in January. In 2024, they signed Nathalie Bjorn, another January defender transfer for the Blues. The Swedish international moved from Everton to Chelsea on a 3 ½ year deal.
Björn said: “It feels amazing! To sign for one of the biggest clubs in Europe feels like part of a dream… excited to start the journey.”
She has been praised for her experience and versatility, and her league experience would add quality.
She helped secure Chelsea's fifth WSL in a row with appearances, including contributing defensively in big wins. She scored her first goal for Chelsea in a 4-0 win over Leicester. She helped them the season after an excellent defensive addition, going unbeaten in the 2024/25 season and winning the domestic treble.
Arsenal joined Chelsea in signing big in January. Emily Fox moved to Arsenal and became one of the club's best signings in recent years. They signed her from the North Carolina Courage in 2024. The US international right-back said: “It feels amazing to sign here… I think of Arsenal as excellence, a global organisation, a family… excited to play in front of our supporters.” The Gunners manager at the time, Jonas Eidevall, noted Fox’s experience and qualities in both attack and defence. Fox has since become a regular starter and featured in almost all matches after joining, known for her energy, defensive solidity and attacking support. She scored her first Arsenal goal in October 2024 in the UEFA Champions League. She has scored in a North London Derby. Most notably, she played all 90 minutes in Arsenal’s historic 2024-25 UEFA Women’s Champions League final win over Barcelona. Arsenal’s first European title in nearly 20 years. For the 2024-25 season, she was named in the WSL’s Best XI and nominated for CONCACAF Player of the Year.
Spurs this January have made many signings already in the first few days of the transfer window, but this is not the first time. In January 2023, it was announced that Bethany England had moved away from the dominant title-winning side of Chelsea. Her transfer fee was reported to be £250,000, breaking the record for a domestic women’s transfer. She was later given the captaincy. She moved to Spurs to get more game time and hopes to be selected for the England team. It was uncommon and widely covered that such an experienced international striker would move from a successful big club to a less successful one. She later became a key leader and veteran presence, scoring crucial goals throughout domestic fixtures and helping Spurs push for a higher league position, often leading the line in WSL matches. England also provided experience and leadership in Spurs’ bid to secure Europa League qualifying spots and stabilise their top-flight status.
Stina Blackstenius, who won Arsenal the women’s Champions League when she scored the only goal in the final against Barcelona in 2025. She joined the North London side back in 2022 on a free transfer from BK Hacken. She said at the time: “It feels amazing… I wanted to play here and become a better player in this environment.” The manager at the time, Jonas Eidevall, praised her as a “world-class striker.” She has been their super sub and their most potent forward, scoring consistently. By May 2024, she had made 43 goals in 83 appearances. She scored decisive goals in back-to-back League Cup finals against Chelsea, including the extra-time winner in 2024. She has also been in excellent form for Sweden internationally, scoring in European Championship qualifying and finals.
Manchester City have remained quieter in January with big, impactful transfers, but in 2024, they signed Brazilian forward Kerolin from the NWSL side North Carolina Courage. The move came after City sought a direct, explosive wide forward to add pace and creativity. Kerolin said on signing:
“It’s a dream to play for Manchester City. This club has a history of winning and developing players, and I’m ready for this challenge.”
City highlighted her ability to beat defenders 1v1 and her end product as the key reasons for her signing. She has quickly become a key part of the city’s attack, offering more dangerous flair, dribbling, and goals from vast areas.
The Brazilian contributed goals and assists in the WSL but also in Europe as they challenge the top end of the table. Her presence significantly improved the city's transitional attacking play.
Sam Kerr. What else needs to be said? Other than her ACL injury, she has been a rock for Chelsea and a thorn in the side of all her opposition. She joined the Blues in November 2019 but didn’t officially sign until the window opened in January from Chicago Red Star on a free transfer. Some epic business from Chelsea, especially how much they have and will get out of the striker.
Kerr said at the time: “Chelsea are a team that have always been pushing to be the best. I want to be part of something special.” Emma Hayes called her signing “a game-changer for the league.”
Her accolades and achievements are beyond; she becomes Chelsea’s all-time leading goalscorer and one of the greatest players in WSL history. Five WSL titles, many FA Cups and League Cups, and Champions League finalists in 2021. She has won the WSL Golden Boot twice, the PFA Player of the Year, and the FWA Footballer of the Year.
WSL have dominated the January transfer window, but Lyon, the most successful club in European football, has also made significant moves, especially looking beyond Europe, with the following two players on the list.
Lindsey Heaps (nee Horan) joined Lyon in 2018, initially on loan from Portland Thorns, before making the move permanent in 2022, reinforcing her long-term relationship with the club. She was one of the few USWNT players playing in Europe who took the leap of faith when the NWSL was a dominant league in women’s football.
Heaps said, “Lyon sets the standard in women’s football. Being here pushes me to be better every day.”
She has been a central midfield leader at Lyon, combining goals, creativity and tactical intelligence. She has won multiple Division 1 Feminine titles and Women’s Champions League titles. She scored decisive goals in league and European matches and regularly captained the side.
Her consistency at Lyon cemented her status as one of the best midfielders of her generation.
Catarina Macario moved to Lyon from Stanford University in 2021. She was one of the most high-profile college-to-Europe moves ever.
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas called her “one of the brightest talents in world football.” Macario said, “Lyon felt like the best place to grow and compete for the biggest trophies.”
The USWNT made an immediate impact, scoring important Champions League goals in its first season. She has won the Champions League and French league title/ Despite her ACL injury interrupting her momentum, she returned as a versatile attacking midfielder/forward.
Her technical ability, pressing, and finishing made her one of Lyon’s most exciting attackers during her tenure.
Finally, Caitlin Foord, after a loan spell with Portland Thorns, moved to Arsenal in 2020 from Sydney FC.
Foord said, “Arsenal felt like the right place to challenge myself and grow.”
Arsenal viewed her as a versatile forward capable of playing across the front line. Foord became one of Arsenal's most consistent performers over multiple seasons. The Australian won the League Cup twice in 2023 and 2024. Plus the 2024/25 women’s Champions League.
She has regularly contributed double-digit goal involvements across competitions and is known for her work rate, pressing, and big-game reliability.
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