Latest news with #WSL
North Wales Chronicle
3 hours ago
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Arsenal duo Alessia Russo and Mariona Caldentey up for Player of the Year award
The Gunners became champions of Europe thanks to their shock win over Barcelona last month, with Russo and Caldentey two of the stars of their 2024-25 season. Former Manchester United forward Russo scored eight times in Arsenal's European success and was joint top scorer in the Women's Super League with 12 goals. Her team-mate Caldentey managed nine goals and five assists in the WSL and added eight more in the Champions League. Erin Cuthbert is flying the flag for WSL champions Chelsea, with her contributions from midfield helping the Blues end the league season unbeaten. Manchester City duo Mary Fowler and Yui Hasegawa are also on the list, along with Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce. The American kept 13 clean sheets in United's 22 WSL matches. The winner will be announced at the PFA Awards ceremony in Manchester on August 19.
The Independent
6 hours ago
- Sport
- The Independent
London City Lionesses announce high-profile signing of Danielle van de Donk
33-year-old midfielder, Danielle van de Donk, joined London City Lionesses on a free transfer following the expiry of her contract at French giants Lyon, now rebranded OL Lyonnes. Both OL Lyonnes and London City are part of Michele Kang's growing portfolio in women's football with the American investor continuing to make waves across Europe. This marks a significant first signing for the Lionesses ahead of their inaugural WSL campaign after they clinched the Championship title in May. The club operates independently of any men's team - setting it apart in a league dominated by affiliated giants like Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United. Van de Donk brings with her a wealth of experience and a winning streak. She lifted the WSL trophy with Arsenal in 2019 and played a central role in the Netherlands' European Championship victory in 2017, later helping the team reach the 2019 World Cup final. Speaking after the announcement, van de Donk said: 'I feel really good about this decision. It's such a nice environment to be in, the club really appeals to me, it reminds me of a little family, and I want to be a part of it. The project that London City have, it's different but in a good way. London City have to battle for everything and that's my style.' The veteran midfielder has penned a two year deal and will be central to a team aiming to challenge the established order in English women's football. Elsewhere in the women's game the FA has confirmed plans to expand the WSL to 14 teams starting from the 2026-27 season, a move that signals continued growth and investment in the top tier. In the third tier Burnley have appointed two time WSL winning manager Matt Beard as their new head coach, making headlines as they gear up for a transition to full time professionalism. The former Liverpool manager was in advanced discussions with Burnley and told the club's media channels: 'I'm so impressed with everybody I've met at the club and the conversations I've had, and I'm looking forward to getting started.' Beard, who was previously in charge at Chelsea and West Ham, arrives with the club preparing to become a full-time women's football operation from next season.
New York Times
7 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Two-time WSL winner Matt Beard appointed new Burnley manager
Burnley have confirmed the appointment of former Liverpool boss Matt Beard as the club's new head coach. Beard, 47, has been out of management since being dismissed by Women's Super League (WSL) side Liverpool in February. The move marks a maiden first-team managerial role below the second tier of English football for the two-time WSL winning coach. Advertisement 'I'm so impressed with everybody I've met at the club and the conversations I've had, and I'm looking forward to getting started,' Beard said. 'I can promise the fan base, the players and the staff that I will work as hard as I can for them, with the aim of fulfilling our objectives.' After three years in charge at Chelsea, Beard took Liverpool to back-to-back WSL titles in 2013 and 2014. He then joined the now-dissolved National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) side Boston Breakers, followed by West Ham United and an interim spell at Bristol City. His second period at Liverpool from 2021 to 2025 saw the club return to the WSL and finish fourth in 2023-24. He was dismissed in February with Liverpool seventh in the table with Amber Whiteley, his former assistant, replacing him on an interim basis until the end of the season. Liverpool ended the campaign in seventh. Beard's appointment comes after Burnley announced their transition to full-time professional status in May, after a fourth-place finish in the National League North, English football's third tier, in 2024-25. Burnley also expressed interest in taking Blackburn Rovers' spot in the WSL2 — the newly rebranded second tier, formerly the Championship — after their withdrawal. Instead, Sheffield United, who had been set for relegation to the regionalised National League, were allowed to stay in the division. Beard replaces Rebecca Sawiuk at Burnley, who left by mutual consent, in March. The club's head of women's Football, Lola Ogunbote added: 'We've been taking great strides forward here at Burnley and Matt's appointment is a further statement of intent, our aims, and our ambition to be a successful football club. 'He is a coach with a wealth of knowledge and experience, and he has a real vision and passion for growing the women's game.'
BBC News
8 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
London City sign Dutch international Van de Donk
Women's Super League newcomers London City Lionesses have signed the Netherlands midfielder Danielle van de Donk on a two-year de Donk, who has 167 international caps, returns to England four years after leaving Arsenal to join French side 33-year-old becomes London City's first signing since they clinched promotion to the top flight for the first time after finishing two points clear of Birmingham City in the Championship.A WSL winner with the Gunners in 2018-19, Van de Donk has won four consecutive league titles since joining Lyon in 2021 and also lifted the Champions League in 2022."It's just such a nice environment to be in, the club really appeals to me, it reminds me of a little family, and I want to be a part of it," Van de Donk said."The project that London City have, it's different but in a good way. London City have to battle for everything and that's my style."Financially backed by Michele Kang, who also owns Lyon and Washington Spirit in the USA, London City will become the first independent women's club, not associated with any men's team, to play in the splitting from Millwall in 2019 they have been a regular in the second division but have been boosted by the investment from their wealthy American owner since her arrival in de Donk began her career in the Netherlands with Willem II before playing for VVV-Venlo and PSV a brief spell with Goteborg in Sweden she signed for Arsenal in 2015, also winning the FA Cup and League Cup during a six-year stay in also won the European Championship with the Netherlands on home soil in 2017 and helped her nation reach the World Cup final in 2019. 'A serious statement of intent' - analysis BBC Sport senior women's football news reporter Emma SandersThis is a serious statement of intent from the newly promoted WSL side and their ambitious owner Michele independently owned club raised eyebrows in the second tier last season when they brought big-name Sweden internationals Kosovare Asllani and Sofia Jakobsson, as well as Japan defender Saki Kumagai, to was clear she was willing to back them again this season after gaining promotion and they have ambitions to break into the WSL's top there were any doubts as to how serious Kang was, this opening signing of the summer transfer window has squashed is also an example of how Kang hopes to use all three football clubs she owns – Washington Spirit, Lyon and London City Lionesses – to transfer talent between de Donk brings a wealth of experience and knows the league well from her impressive six-year spell with Arsenal between 2015 and 2021, winning the WSL title during that wife Ellie Carpenter, who she played with at Lyon, has been in talks with Chelsea over a potential move this summer too. Head here to get involved
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Netherlands midfielder Danielle van de Donk joins London City Lionesses from Lyon
London City Lionesses have completed the signing of midfielder Danielle van de Donk from Lyon. The former Arsenal player, 33, joins the newly-promoted side ahead of their first season in the Women's Super League (WSL) after four years at Lyon. Advertisement The Netherlands international has signed a two-year contract that runs until 2027. Van de Donk said: 'It's just such a nice environment to be in, the club really appeals to me, it reminds me of a little family, and I want to be a part of it! 'The project that London City have, it's different but in a good way. London City have to battle for everything, and that's my style.' The transfer sees Van de Donk move between two Michele Kang-owned clubs, after the U.S. businesswoman completed the purchase of London City in February 2024. After beginning her career in the Netherlands, Van de Donk joined Arsenal in 2015 and had six successful years in north London, winning three trophies including the WSL title in 2018. Advertisement Shen joined Lyon in 2021, where she won three league titles and the Champions League in 2022. The midfielder has also made 167 appearances for the Netherlands, winning the European Championship in 2017. When asked about returning to play in the WSL, she said: 'I was there for six years, and it was very good. I loved it and saw no hesitation in coming back. It's a good league; the stadiums are full, and hopefully we can get more and more fans here too. I'm so excited to meet all of the fans, and I promise that I'll give 100% if you do the same for us.' London City Lionesses won promotion to the WSL for the first time last season by topping the Championship. 'A Marquee Signing' This is a marquee signing for London City Lionesses and shows they are prepared to spend big to attract names. Advertisement The aim seemingly is to build their brand and boost attendances in their maiden WSL season. It comes as a surprise that Van de Donk, a statement name in women's football with a Champions League winner's medal to her name and four league titles with Arsenal (one) and Lyon (three), has made the switch. But Kang's vision has evidently appealed to the 33-year-old versatile midfielder who will bring plenty of experience to the newly promoted team. This article originally appeared in The Athletic. UK Women's Football 2025 The Athletic Media Company
