Women's Super League

Image source, Everton Football Club

Earlier this week, Scott Phelan was appointed interim manager of Everton Women until the end of the season following the sacking of Brian Sorenson.

Speaking in his first news conference before the game against London City Lionesses, he told BBC Sport how it had unfolded.

"I met the players for the first time today," he said. "We had our first training session together.

"There has been a lot of emotion over the last 24 hours. We went through the first step of getting to know each other, making the players understand what we can expect from us as the coaching staff and also what we expect from them.

"From that point on, the players have been really good, really positive. The energy and effort we asked for was so evident from the first ball that rolled.

"It was a real privilege to be around them and it makes my excitement levels grow even more for the opportunities that will arrive for the nine or so remaining games."

Previously Everton's Under-18s coach, Phelan explained his move into the role was made easier by his profile within the club.

"I was already in the building, which I think helped the situation," he said. "My affiliation with the club goes back a long time, as a youth player, as a coach.

"People have told me that that the women's team is very important – it's not just a recent thing with the growth of the game and how the profile has improved – the presence of the women's team at Everton has been here for a long time."

On the style of play, Everton fans can expect, Phelan said:

"We spoke to the players briefly today. We haven't gone into any details on tactics, but we have talked principles:

"Being purposeful with and without the ball. In possession, having some direction and spending a little bit more time in areas higher up the pitch, will be something that we want to encourage quite quickly.

"We want the team to be confident and play with freedom and bravery and ultimately enjoy it.

"We want to put on performances that are enjoyable to watch."

Image source, Getty

Defender, Codie Thomas has joined Glasgow City on loan for the rest of the 2025/26 season.

The full-back has featured four times for Manchester City since making her senior debut in October 2024 against St Polten in the UEFA Women's Champions League.

An injury in January 2025 meant the teenager wasn't able to add to her tally before the season's end, but she did come on as a late substitute in Manchester City's League Cup win over Everton in September.

The youngster's development will continue at Glasgow City, who currently sit top of the SWPL table having gone unbeaten so far this season.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United boss Marc Skinner is relishing competing on four fronts this season and says he "wouldn't swap it for the world".

Skinner has steered United into second place in the Women's Super League with the side on a run of eight games unbeaten in all competitions.

On Saturday, they travel to struggling Leicester City before heading to Atletico Madrid next Thursday for the first leg of the Champions League knockout round play-offs.

Also on the horizon are an FA Cup fifth-round tie against Chelsea before the League Cup final against the same opponents next month.

"We are fully focused on each task," he said in his pre-match news conference. "We have got to get the rotation right and get the right players in the right game at the right time. That is my challenge.

"It is really exciting. I wouldn't swap it for the world even though we have many tough asks coming up."

Skinner has strengthened United's squad in the transfer window with the signings of striker Lea Schuller, forward Ellen Wangerheim and defender Hanna Lundkvist.

While satisfied with his options, he did suggest United will be active once again over the summer.

"I am really happy with the work we have done," he said. "Quality players for now and the future.

"But I can't stress it enough - we are still working for the summer and beyond. If we add another three to five players in the summer, we will be in a good space for next season as well."

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

The timing of Everton's decision to sack Brian Sorensen came as a surprise, just hours after the transfer deadline closed and the addition of Roma midfielder Zara Kramzar to their ranks.

Sorensen has been involved in recruitment and many of their additions over the past two windows have suited his requests.

But the feeling a change of direction was needed has been lingering at Everton for several months.

Supporters have grown increasingly frustrated by their performances with Sorensen seemingly still unsure on his best XI and often using players out of position.

His experimental style has been effective before and he should be praised for his management last season when Everton's injury crisis left a thin squad amid a time when the club were awaiting the completion of the Friedkin Group takeover.

However, expectations grew this year when investment came, signings were made and the squad had enough quality to be challenging further up the table.

They have been dragged into an unnecessary relegation battle and Everton have acted now in the hope that they can do enough to stabilise their position before rebuilding in the summer.

Sorensen's overall time at Everton has shown his capabilities as a coach but the inability to field a consistent team has harmed his progression.

Image source, Everton

Roma midfielder Zara Kramzar has signed for Everton on loan for the rest of the season.

In the contract, there is an obligation-to-buy clause which the Toffees would be expected to fulfil in the summer.

The 20-year-old Slovenian international has spent the last year on loan at Italian club Como.

After sealing her move to the Toffees on the final day of the Women's Super League transfer window, Kramžar – who will wear the number 21 shirt – told evertontv:

"I feel so excited. I think we all worked a lot for this. I am happy to be here and start my journey.

"I can't wait. I am really looking forward to playing at Goodison Park and seeing the fans. I am excited to learn a lot about Everton.

"I like to play in big stadiums. I am looking forward to it and to score goals in front of the fans and to leave everything on the pitch for them and for the Club."

"I am proud," Kramžar continued. "It is nice to be the first Slovenian in the WSL. I am excited to show on the pitch what I can do now.

"I enjoyed playing in Italy but I've always wanted to go to England, I think it is the best league in the world. I am excited to see the level here.

"I would like to take Everton as high as I can and help the team. Maybe we can achieve some trophies in the future.

"It is a big club, of course, that has a lot of history. I think Everton can help me progress on and off the pitch."

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Several official supporters' clubs have hit out at a proposed new format for the Women's FA Cup, stating the changes will ruin the "magic" of the competition and mean the "rich will only get richer".

The Football Association has suggested a 'road-to-Wembley bracket', which would map out a team's route from the last 32 onwards.

There would also be an introduction of seeds in the draw, with four spots awarded to the top four teams from the previous Women's Super League season.

The FA and WSL Football - the company overseeing England's top two teams - have made proposals in the past that have not come to fruition.

They are keen to remain inventive and look at all options to grow the game on the pitch, as well as commercially.

According to BBC Sport sources, the Women's FA Cup proposals were brought to the attention of clubs after the FA claimed it had gathered data from fan surveys which had called for change.

It was presented for feedback and consultation and it is unclear if it will go any further, but there has already been a widespread backlash.

Sources at several WSL clubs have told BBC Sport they are worried about what these proposed changes could do to the "sporting integrity" of the competition.

They feel it gives elite clubs more advantage despite their stranglehold on the competition, with the last 13 winners being one of the existing top-four sides.

Others feel change is unnecessary, having just made adaptations to the Women's League Cup format in order to make it more competitive.

While many feel it will not progress beyond initial consultation, there remains concern among WSL clubs.

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester City full-back Nelly Las has joined WSL 2 bottom side Ipswich Town on loan for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.

Las, an 18-year-old Academy graduate, has made 23 appearances since her Foxes debut in October 2024.

An England Under-19 international, she will join up with Ipswich before a crucial trip to fellow strugglers Portsmouth on Sunday.

"I'm excited by the opportunity and am looking forward to getting to know my new team-mates," Las said after her move.

"The setup here looks great and I think it's important to be somewhere which has everyone pushing towards the same goal.

"I would describe myself as an aggressive full-back who likes to go forward and make things happen, and I hope to bring that into the games during my time here."

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton striker Olivia Johnson has joined WSL 2 club Nottingham Forest on loan for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.

The 18-year-old spent the first half of the campaign on loan with Bristol City in the second tier, scoring one goal in eight appearances before returning to Brighton last month.

She has made two senior appearances for Albion, making her debut in March 2024 against Bristol City in the Women's Super League, before featuring in the League Cup group stages the following campaign.

"This is another great opportunity for OJ to get regular exposure in a senior environment." said under-19s head coach Danielle Bowman.

"Forest are having a positive season in the WSL2 following promotion and this will be a chance for OJ to add her qualities to the squad, learn from experienced players, and help Forest climb the table."

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United midfielder Mared Griffiths has joined Sunderland on loan for the rest of the 2025-26 season.

The 18-year-old Wales international signed her first professional contract with United last summer,and scored twice on her senior debut in a 6-0 win over Wolves in the FA Cup fifth round in February 2025.

However, she has not made a single appearance in the Women's Super League this season.

Griffiths joins Sunderland with the club sitting eighth in the WSL 2.

"We're delighted to add Mared to our squad for the rest of the season," Sunderland head coach Mel Reay said.

"She's an exciting, attacking young player who's ready to take the next step into senior football and we hope we can help her to do that while allowing her to contribute effectively to our team."

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

It has been a difficult campaign for Rafaela Borggrafe since joining Liverpool in the summer.

The goalkeeper had a six-game ban for using discriminatory language towards a team-mate and has struggled to claim the number one shirt since, with Jennifer Falk impressing since joining on loan in January.

Falk's arrival dropped Borggrafe down the pecking order, while Liverpool still have young goalkeeper Faye Kirby and experienced stopper Rachael Laws in their ranks.

The loan move to Bayer Leverkusen allows Borggrafe a chance to play regular football and reignite a career that has stalled. Her long-term future is uncertain but she has at least another year on her contract at Liverpool.

It will mean Liverpool have work to do in the goalkeeping department in the summer with Laws' contract coming to an end, and Falk's loan agreement running out.

It is understood Liverpool are very keen to sign Falk on a permanent deal and there are various options in her loan contract that means they can explore that in the summer - but it will be the player's decision.

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal defender Cecily Wellesley-Smith has joined FC Rosengard on loan for the 2026 Damallsvenskan season.

The 2026 season in Sweden's top tier starts in March and runs until November.

Wellesley-Smith, who signed her first professional contract with Arsenal in June 2025, spent the first half of this season on loan at Leicester City.

However, the 19-year-old made just one appearance for the Foxes and was re-called from her loan spell at the start of January.

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham midfielder Anna Csiki has joined Roma on loan for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.

The Hungary international spent the first half of the campaign on loan at West Ham, where she made four Women's Super League appearances.

She scored her first WSL goal in the Hammers' 2-2 draw against Liverpool in December.

Csiki, 26, joined Tottenham from BK Hacken in August 2024 and made 13 appearances for the club last season.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Everton are set to bring in Roma midfielder Zara Kramzar on loan for the rest of the season.

There is an obligation-to-buy clause in the contract which Everton would be expected to fulfil in the summer.

The 20-year-old has spent the last year on loan at Italian club Como.

The Women‘s Super League transfer window closes at 23:00 GMT on Tuesday.

Image source, Brighton & Hove Albion FC

Brighton have completed the signing of 22-year-old forward Olivia Garcia from Denmark side HB Koge and will immediately send her on loan to the Swedish League.

The American striker scored 28 goals in 57 appearances in Denmark and will join AIK on loan until the end of June.

"We're delighted to welcome Olivia to the club and a really excited about her potential," Albion managing director Zoe Johnson said.

"She is a promising young forward who has shown strong progression at this stage of her career and brings qualities that we believe will add real value to our squad.

"We're confident that a loan spell in Sweden will provide her with an excellent opportunity to continue her development, gain valuable minutes and experience a different environment."