Women's Super League

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

It will be an "emotional" return to Tottenham for new Leicester signing Ashleigh Neville, admits manager Rick Passmoor.

Neville joined Leicester from Spurs this month having spent almost a decade with the north London club.

It is an immediate return for Neville with Leicester due to face Tottenham in back-to-back games in the WSL and Women's FA Cup less than a week after her transfer.

"We know this game brings lots of emotions to the fore - two games against your old club straight away after a long-term history there," said Passmoor.

"We're there for her. Behind the scenes, we're there for the players. It's important we touch-in with Ash over these next few weeks."

The 32-year-old was part of the Spurs squad when they first joined WSL 2 in 2017-18 and helped them gain promotion to the top tier in 2019.

The wing-back also started Tottenham's first women's major final when they were runners-up to Manchester United in the 2024 FA Cup.

She made a total of 191 appearances for Tottenham and will be celebrated at full-time by supporters following Sunday's match (12:00 GMT).

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Nina Farooqi

London City Lionesses have appointed former Newcastle manager Becky Langley as assistant coach.

Langley, who spent six years in charge of Newcastle, will support new manager Eder Maestre following his appointment earlier this month.

She oversaw back-to-back promotions at Newcastle, guiding them from the fourth tier to the second tier and began an era of professionalism there.

"I'm delighted to be here and can't wait to get going. I think the project has no ceiling here," said Langley.

"Having an owner who is so ambitious for success at London City and in women's football is really exciting.

"The talent we have in this squad [meant] it was a no brainer for me to join. My role is to support Eder and to push us to be one of the best teams in the WSL."

Millie Sian
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Everton have signed Manchester United full-back Hannah Blundell on loan until the end of the season.

The 31-year-old, who is a four-time Women's Super League champion and three-time FA Cup winner, arrives as Brian Sorensen's first signing in January.

Blundell has plenty of experience in England's top-flight, having graduated from Chelsea's academy and representing the Blues for eight years before joining Manchester United in July 2021.

"I am really excited. I can't wait to get going. Goodison Park is fantastic. Every time I have played against Everton, you can hear the fans," said Blundell.

"They are always brilliant, I cannot wait to have them on my side and hopefully give them some excitement. Everton have got an amazing history.

"The first conversation I had with Brian [Sorensen] got me really excited to join the club. He is definitely one of the reasons I did. Both of our ambitions aligned."

Everton are currently 10th in the WSL table - five points clear of bottom side Liverpool - and they travel to face league leaders Manchester City on Sunday (12:00 GMT).

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Natalia Arroyo says Aston Villa are "in a better place" than when she first arrived at the club as she reflects on almost a year in charge.

Villa were in a relegation battle in her first few months but they now sit eighth in the table with three wins and four draws from 11 WSL matches this season.

Spaniard Arroyo used the winter break to "refect on the dreams" she had when she was appointed in January 2025 - and believes they are on course to achieve them.

"We are definitely building this. There is a lot of things we're learning in the process like how to keep stable emotionally and to be consistent," said Arroyo.

"That was hard at the beginning because of the results and the tension of relegation. It's something every manager needs to learn. It was about staying steady.

"I'm still growing, asking for help and reading up on stuff. The club is really investing in the squad and we have bigger plans. We are building for the future.

"Now we need to grow our style. There is still a lot to do but in the big picture, we are in a better place than when I first arrived."

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham manager Martin Ho says the club are "optimistic" they can finish the season strongly.

Ho joined the club in July and has had an impressive start to his managerial reign, guiding Spurs to six victories from their opening 11 WSL matches.

His side sit fifth in the table and have been ambitious at the start of the transfer window as they prepare for Sunday's game against Leicester City (12:00 GMT).

"We have to make sure we build on the platforms we've built. Players and staff have come back in good spirits and with good energy," said Ho.

"We're optimistic and hopefully we'll have a strong second part to the season. We'll still be in the [transfer] market I think.

"As a club, and as a coach, you want to make sure your squad is in the best possible shape it can be to go into the big part of the season.

"We'll be in the market and will look at whether we can strengthen any more areas. I'm very selective on what I want and what I think we need."

Image source, Brighton & Hove Albion

Brighton have signed midfielder Olaug Tvedten from Norwegian top-flight side Valerenga for an undisclosed fee.

The 25-year-old has plenty of experience in the Toppserien, having signed her first senior contract with Avaldsnes IL in 2016. She went on to lift the Norwegian Cup in 2017, the club's first major trophy in its history.

Tvedten signed for Valerenga in 2021, where she has gone on to scoop up two league titles and three more Norwegian Cup titles, as well as netting 52 goals across four seasons at the club.

She is also a full Norway international, having represented the country at five different youth levels before making her senior debut in October 2020.

Head coach Dario Vidosic said: "We are really excited to welcome Olaug to the team. She is a technical goal-scoring midfielder with real quality.

"We are looking forward to seeing the impact she can make heading into the second half of the season."

The Seagulls are currently seventh in the Women's Super League and travel to face Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon (12:00 GMT).

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester City club captain Janice Cayman has joined PSV Eindhoven on a permanent transfer for an undisclosed fee.

The 37-year-old made 66 appearances in all competitions during her two-and-a-half year stint at King Power Stadium, having joined the club from Olympique Lyonnais in July 2023.

After appearing in all of Leicester City's league games last season, Cayman was one of nine players to be awarded a new contract before the beginning of the 2025-26 Women's Super League season.

She is also Belgium's most capped women's player, having accumulated over 150 appearances since making her senior debut in 2007.

A club statement said: "An influential figure both on and off the pitch, she leaves having made a significant contribution to the development of LCFC Women as an established Women's Super League team."

The Foxes are currently ninth in the league and travel to face Tottenham on Sunday afternoon (12:00 GMT).

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United manager Marc Skinner has confirmed the club has triggered one-year contract extension options for four "fantastic" first-team players, who were all due to be out of contract this summer.

The quartet, who were all set to become free agents in six months time, includes two-time European Championship winner and England international Ella Toone, as well as Gabby George, Lisa Naalsund and Elisabeth Terland.

"They are all under contract for another 18 months now," Skinner revealed in his pre-match news conference. "The club always adds in option years, it is the same with my contract.

"It gives both parties that conversation place near the end of the contract and gives space to negotiate a potential new contract.

"It was always going to be that way for these four players, so we are now having constant conversations with them behind the scenes. They have been fantastic for us and the club will continue to try to find solutions for further extensions, hopefully for all of them."

Toone set for another short spell on the sidelines

However, Skinner will be without Toone who is currently suffering with a bone stress response injury in her hip. The 26-year-old also took to her social media to reveal that she was suffering with a "minor hip injury" in July 2025.

"She will miss a few weeks," he told MUTV. "She has already started her physiotherapy. She hates missing football, but she always comes back even stronger."

England international George will also be unavailable for a couple of weeks due to a calf issue.

While four players have received contract extensions, Kiera Barry and Evie Rabjohn have also been recalled from their loan spells at Sunderland.

When asked if the 20-year-old duo will be part of his first-team squad or loaned out again, Skinner replied: "It could be either or. Everything is on the table right now.

"If the best option comes up for them in this transfer window, we will look at it but right now they will be training with the team.

"The club is working really hard to make sure we have a plan for them, so it isn't just about bringing them back and letting them sit on the bench. We have to get these girls playing for them to reach their potential."

Manchester United return to Women's Super League action after nearly a month off against Arsenal on Saturday afternoon (12:30 GMT).

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa defender Sarah Mayling has joined Leicester City on loan until the end of the season.

The right-sided full-back made 109 appearances for Villa and scored three goals after joining the club for a second spell in 2021, having been part of its academy set-up between 2014-16.

However, her playing time this season had been limited by manager Natalia Arroyo preferring a back three.

Leicester sit ninth in the Women's Super League table, one place and four points behind Villa, after 11 games.

Leicester, led by Rick Passmoor, are looking to add experience during this month's transfer window and saw Mayling, who has also played for Birmingham City, as fitting the bill.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester City are in talks to sign Tottenham's Ashleigh Neville on a permanent deal this month.

Rick Passmoor is targetting experience in the January transfer window and hopes to agree a deal for the 32-year-old wing-back.

Neville has been with Tottenham for almost decade and was part of the squad when they first joined WSL 2 - England's second tier which was formely known as the Women's Championship - in the 2017-18 season.

She helped them gain promotion to the WSL in 2019 and to reach their first Women's FA Cup final in 2024.

In total, she has appeared 191 times for the club and has built up vast experience in the WSL.

Leicester are also close to agreeing a loan move for Aston Villa full-back Sarah Mayling.

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester City are in discussions to sign Aston Villa full-back Sarah Mayling on loan for the remainder of the Women's Super League season.

The 28-year-old was part of Villa's academy and has made more than 100 appearances across two spells at the club during her professional career.

However, manager Natalia Arroyo has preferred a back three this season, meaning Mayling's game time has reduced.

Leicester are looking to add experience in this month's transfer window and Mayling would be a shrewd addition for Rick Passmoor's side.

Earlier on Friday, Villa confirmed wing-back Katie Robinson had returned from her loan spell at Everton.