Women's Super League

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Brighton striker Fran Kirby says she has "got the summer" to work out her future after losing the FA Cup final to Manchester City on Sunday.

The former England forward turns 33 in June and has been linked with retirement before the 2026-27 season.

A 4-0 defeat at Wembley by the Women's Super League champions denied Kirby a sixth FA Cup winners' medal and afterwards she gave away little about her next steps.

"I've got this summer," she told BBC Radio 5 Live. "These experiences don't last forever - football doesn't last forever.

"I have got some time now to let my body recover after a tough season and we'll go from there."

It has been a fine end to the season for Brighton, who beat Arsenal on route to the FA Cup final and also defeated Manchester City in April.

Kirby expressed her pride at reaching the Wembley showpiece and said she hopes the progress made under Dario Vidosic will sustain into next season.

"I am disappointed but also really proud of the club, the team and the way we showed ourselves," she said. "We can take learnings into next season.

"We had a tough run to get here and it tells you about the calibre of players we are starting to attract at the club. It's a dejected changing room but we will realise what an amazing achievement it has been.

"Hopefully we can keep building for next season."

Adwaidh Rajan
BBC Sport journalist

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Vivianne Miedema said it was "really emotional" to return to the Manchester City squad as she helped them defeat Brighton 4-0 in the Women's FA Cup final and complete a historic double.

In her first appearance since the end of March, the Dutch forward came off the bench to seal the victory in the 87th minute as Andree Jeglertz's side added to their first Women's Super League title in a decade.

Miedema had missed their WSL run-in for personal reasons and later revealed in an Instagram post that her mother was "fighting for her life" after experiencing "serious complications" while undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.

"I spoke to Andree two weeks ago and said that we were going to try and aim for the final, so I'm really glad I made it," Miedema said after the FA Cup triumph.

"I FaceTimed my mum after the game. She watched the game. She understood that we won. She cried on the phone, so it was really emotional for me."

Miedema said on her social media post that her mother was "fighting hard through the small steps of recovery although there are still many big hurdles ahead".

On securing the club's first-ever double, the 29-year-old said: "Really special and unbelievable. I've never done it myself before.

"Within the club, we were always honest about it. I'm just happy that we won it.

"I will not be leading [the celebrations] but I might actually have to take over at some point. It's really nice to have a little distraction."

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

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Manchester City captain Alex Greenwood says playing in a Women's FA Cup final at Wembley is "one of the best days" you can have in football.

After captaining the team to their first Women's Super League title in a decade, Greenwood hopes to spur them on to a domestic double.

Fresh from celebrating their WSL title with fans during this week's parade through Manchester, City face Brighton in Sunday's showdown (15:00 BST)

"The fans really do deserve this. They've had some tough days. I think we've put them through it a little bit at times," Greenwood told BBC Sport.

"I would love for this club to experience Wembley in an FA Cup final. For me, it's one of the best days you can have in football.

"I cannot wait to take the team there. I think to play at Wembley is always iconic, isn't it? It's one of the best stadiums in the world."

Greenwood is the only player in the current City squad who started at Wembley in 2020 when City last won the FA Cup.

Midfielder Laura Coombs, who is retiring in the summer, was an unused substitute that day.

As well as success at Wembley with City, Greenwood was part of the England squad who beat Germany there in the Euro 2022 final.

"Obviously, as an English player, it means a little bit more. But when you play in this league, everyone knows how big the FA Cup is," she added.

"Once we had secured the league, in my mind I thought: 'OK, let's take this club to Wembley.'

"I think we deserve it and it is one of the best days in the football calendar."

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

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Brighton striker Madison Haley says the club wants to "keep finding themselves in the big moments" as they prepare for a first Women's FA Cup final.

Dario Vidosic's side take on Women's Super League champions Manchester City on Sunday (15:00 BST) hoping to win their first major trophy.

Having beaten Arsenal in the FA Cup quarter-finals and Sunday's opponents City in the WSL in their past six matches, they go to Wembley in good form.

"It's been an amazing run that we've been on but from inside the club, it hasn't been much of a surprise that we find ourselves here," Haley told BBC Sport.

"That's testament to the group, to the work of the backroom staff and everyone at the club. They have really supported us and been pushing us forward.

"We always want more but we are happy to be here. As we look forward to next season, we want to keep finding ourselves in these big moments."

Haley was player of the match in Brighton's win over City in April and scored in the 3-2 victory over Liverpool as Albion came from behind to win the semi-final in stoppage time.

That secured their spot at Wembley and the USA forward is looking forward to embracing the occasion at the historic stadium.

"It's what dreams are made of - it will be so incredible," said Haley. "I spoke with [team-mate] Bex Rayner about how special that moment is for her and her family. "She never really thought she would have that opportunity because of how unique it is, especially growing up, and how historic Wembley is.

"I have a different appreciation for it. It's different when you've been a lifelong fan of a club and Wembley is the pinnacle in the FA Cup. But you still see how special it is.

"It's so exciting. We want to go and win it. We want to be the first team in Brighton's history to lift silverware."

Image source, West Ham United

West Ham have completed the signing of goalkeeper Constance Picaud on a three-year contract French club Fleury.

The 27-year-old was captain of the Premiere Ligue club and kept 19 clean sheets in 40 league appearances.

Picaud is also a France international, and featured in squads for the 2023 Women's World Cup, the Olympic Games and the 2025 Women's Euros.

"It's a real honour to be joining West Ham United," she said. "I've had several conversations with Rita [Guarino] and I've been really impressed by her mindset, her ambition and the importance she places on togetherness and team spirit.

"It has always been a dream of mine to play outside of France and I'm so excited to come to London, experience a new country and live in such an incredible city.

"It also meant a lot to me to be able to bring my family with me - that was a huge part of this decision. I'm happy wherever I am in the world as long as my wife, my daughter and my dog are by my side. Now, all four of us are about to begin an exciting new chapter at West Ham United, and I can't wait to get started."

Boss Guarino emphasised the importance of Picaud's leadership skills in deciding to sign her.

"As a goalkeeper, [Picaud] has shown quality both in and out of possession, along with the composure and intelligence to control key moments in games, which will complement our playing style," she said.

"Having captained her previous side in France, Constance has demonstrated strong leadership qualities, and her experience and mentality will be invaluable to this group moving forward."

Image source, Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur have announced the signing of Netherlands defender Caitlin Dijkstra. She will join Spurs this summer following the end of her contract at German side, Wolfsburg.

"It feels amazing to join Spurs," Dijkstra said. "I have almost no words for it! I'm a player who wants to achieve all the big things. I'm ready for this, and I'm really happy for the opportunity I have with this club."

The 27-year-old started her career with Dutch club RKVV JEKA and then moved to CTO Eindhoven before joining Ajax in 2018.

After two seasons in Amsterdam, she switched to FC Twente and helped them win the Eredivisie and Eredivisie Cup double in 2021-22.

She joined Wolfsburg in 2023 and made 46 appearances for the German side, including 11 in the Champions League.

"Caitlin is a player with real pedigree, maturity and top-level experience," said Spurs head coach Martin Ho. " She has developed and competed in winning environments, played in major European competitions, and continues to be an important player for the Netherlands.

"What we really like about Caitlin is not only her defensive quality, but her composure, intelligence and ability to help a team build from the back.

"She is calm under pressure, reads the game well, defends with discipline and gives us another strong profile within our defensive unit."

Sally Freedman
BBC Sport senior journalist

Image source, Chris Lee

Chelsea defender Sandy Baltimore has signed a new contract with Chelsea that will keep her at the club until 2030.

The France international joined Chelsea from Paris Saint-Germain before the 2024-25 season and quickly became a key player.

Baltimore played an important role as Chelsea secured an unbeaten domestic treble in her debut season, making 29 appearances in all competitions while scoring nine goals and six assists.

Speaking after the signing, Baltimore said:

"Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs. We have a top quality team, and I want to compete with the best players in the world every day, that's why I chose to stay here.

"I want to keep improving and try to win every trophy possible."

The 26-year-old reached 50 appearances for Chelsea during the 2025-26 season, coming off the bench in a win against Tottenham Hotspur in February.

Baltimore is known for her pace, technical ability and attacking contributions from the left side.

At international level, Baltimore progressed through the France youth system and helped her country win the UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship, scoring in the final against Germany.

She has 55 caps for France women's national team and has scored 11 goals.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

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Charlton Athletic defender Charlotte Newsham says manager Karen Hills is a "legend" of the club after guiding them to the Women's Super League.

Hills' side beat Leicester City in a play-off tie at The Valley on Saturday to earn promotion to the WSL for the first time in the club's history.

She was a former player at the club and has spent five seasons there as the manager, building a squad capable of reaching the top tier.

"Karen Hills is a legend at Charlton. She played here then managed us back to the WSL where we belong," Newsham told BBC Sport.

"She is an unbelievable manager. The way she has built the culture at this club has helped us get over the line. I have nothing but good things to say about her."

Newsham was absent on Saturday having picked up a devastating anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in their final WSL 2 game against Birmingham City.

The Scotland international had started 20 of their 22 matches but had to watch on agonisingly, crutches in hand, as her side came through in a penalty shootout.

"It's not sunk in yet but it's a surreal feeling. It's a big relief. It's something this team has worked for all season so it's nice to get it over the line.

"There will be a party tonight then after that, everyone will go home to their families and get a big rest. It's been a big few weeks.

"The club have been striving towards it for a while and we've been close before but to now get it over the line, I can't describe how it feels.

"Hopefully we can show why we should be there in the WSL [next season]."