SWPL Transfer Window XI
The transfer window has slammed shut in the way that only a transfer window can (a couple last minute loans aside). We've had a look at the transfers that we think will have the biggest impact.
You all know we are big fans of Counter Pressed and their most recent episode has inspired us to steal their idea write about our favourite signings SWPL clubs have made that we expect to make a big impact over the course of the season. You can listen to Flo, Jessy, and Kate, chat through their WSL opinions here (spoiler alert: justice for Jenna Clark).
Similarly to our pals at Counter Pressed we’re basing this on the impact we expect them to make at their new club, whether that is because they are filling a gap in a squad or because of how they improve the team they’ve joined, rather than just ranking the players themselves. We’ve also asked some of our favourite messengers of the SWPL agenda for their pick to help us fill our bench.
To make sure we spread the love we’ve given ourselves an extra set of criteria, a maximum of two players per club. So, we’ve had to be a little loosey-goosey on some of the positions. We know that. We still think it’d have a good chance of winning the title though.
Goalkeeper
Celtic lost one of, if not the, best keeper in the league during the summer with Pamela Tajonar returning to play in her native Mexico for the first time in 12 years. Kelsey Daugherty was brought in from Norwegian side Avaldsnes to fill that gap and so far the 26-year-old looks like she might even be an upgrade on the departing #1. Daugherty racked up a number of honours during her college career including Conference USA Goalkeeper of the Year and if she keeps her form up it’s likely taht a couple SWPL awards may be added to that. Spells in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway either side of stints on the bench of NWSL sides followed her successful college career, and now she is walking the well worn path of Americans to the SWPL. A dominant presence between the posts, Daugherty poses a real tough test for SWPL forwards.
The Back Line
We’re going for a 4-3-3, keeping it simple with the formation, so for our defence it’s a back four. Two full backs and two central defenders. Quite a few teams had defensive frailties last season and have brought in reinforcements to hopefully plug that gap.
Partick Thistle are one of those teams. Despite a perceived over-performance and a (well-earned) reputation as one of the toughest sides to play against, they conceded 73 times in the league last season. The most out of the top six by 22, in fact you have to go as low as Hamilton Accies in 11th before you find a team with a worse defensive record. Brian Graham has looked to former Motherwell, and now Scotland under-23 cap, right back Emma Lawton. Lawton returns to the club after stints away including time with Manchester City’s academy. It might not have been the signing that made the biggest headlines, but, her performances so far have us very excited for the future. Epitomising everything Partick Thistle are about, she covers every blade of grass and plays an all-action role from right back. She’s bagged her first goal, won the club’s August player of the month award, and now the UEFA C Licence holder is cementing herself as one to watch for the national team’s future.
Over on the left, we have gone for one of the summer’s earliest signings. Mya Christie was announced as Grant Scott’s first signing after his return to the Leith club. Another Scottish under-23 international in the recent squad, Christie had played all over for Aberdeen. Both wings, wing back on either side, she shone in what was ultimately a disappointing season for the Dons. Now with Hibernian she has cemented herself as a left back in Scott’s 4-2-3-1 and she is excelling. Offensively, she’s such a threat with her sheer pace coupled with ball control and a ‘no fear’ attitude to running at defenders. Defensively, she’s come on leaps and bounds. Her performance in the Edinburgh derby at Tynecastle is testament to that. Timms gave her a tough time in the first half but ultimately she barely got a sniff at goal.
Total Football Analysis’ head of women’s football, and all-round analysis expert, David Astill agrees with us here highlighting the change she’s made in Hibernian’s attacking shape.
[She] adds a threat from wide that allows Adams, Baucom, Morrison etc to stay further infield and to create a bigger central attacking threat. Every time I see her play I'm impressed and I don't think she gets as much praise as she should.
Our first of the two centre backs is a talent who left a teenager with two SWPL titles and is now returning as a 21-year-old who played a huge part in a Championship promotion fight last season (that they, unfortunately, lost out in). Carly Girasoli has returned to the SWPL from London City Lionesses for the claret of Hearts. Every season under Eva Olid has seen Hearts improve their league standing, with a 4th placed finish last season their task is to make up the 29 points between them and last season’s top 3. To do that they need to reduce their goals against significantly, despite the 4th best record in the league last season (24 more than the 3rd best, Glasgow City). Girasoli’s title winning experience, her physicality, and her defensive nous should play a huge part in that. Something which is especially needed with Vyan Sampson moving to China. Once the most promising defender in the league, making UWCL appearances while in high school, she has returned with some of that potential still to fill, but having made vast improvements in the interim years. A really exciting move for the Jambos.
Finally, a late move as Celtic look to the A-League for the second time this window to bring in Sydney Cummings. Celtic’s defence was not an issue last season, in fact they conceded just 11 goals, seven of those post-split but they only dropped points in two of those (a draw and loss, both against Rangers). However, this season the loss of O’Riordan to Standard Liège and Luana Muñoz to that dreaded three letter injury has led to attacking midfielder Maria McAneny filling in in the back three which is… less than ideal. Cummings is coming off the back of an exceptional season in the ‘Dub’ with Western United. Tall, quick, decisive in her recovery tackles, pinpoint in her passing. She’s the blueprint of a Fran Alonso defender. The SWPL’s first of Guyanese nationality arrives with a lot of expectation but should be able to meet it with ease, and allow Celtic to move their defensive line a step forward to give even less space to opposition front lines.
Midfield Trio
We’ve got three in midfield, two of them are predominantly wingers but we’re disclosing that now so you can’t complain. Midfield is the area of the pitch where games are often won and lost, an influential signing here could make a huge difference come the end of the season.
Our right sided midfielder, coming from Liga MX (while Chinchilla moved in the opposite direction, but to a different team), Cori Sullivan joining Glasgow City from Cruz Azul. The American winger has joined the league with a bang and is well on her way to establishing herself as one of the best wingers in the league. Her precision crossing and physicality has been a real standout with Glasgow City’s style of play evolving through the losses in the summer, specifically of Chinchilla. City’s #17 has shone out on the left hand side, and looks to be a really impressive signing. It’s not all unselfish play for her teammates either, in the SWPL cup she scored a whopping four goals to send City on their way to the next round. We’re sure she’ll have a say in the silverware this year.
In the middle it’s a player departing Glasgow City in Sarah Gibb. The 19-year-old has joined Motherwell to partner one of our favourite SWPL midfield conductors, Amy Anderson, and help Motherwell to shore up their midfield. With the club usually operating in a 3-4-3/3-5-2 shape, the two central midfielders are absolutely crucial in both stopping advancing attacks, and offering an attacking outlet in the middle. Last season the ‘Well were far too soft in the area between the back three and the midfield pivot, not just because they needed more energy but also because they needed depth in options. Gibb should bring both. An exciting young talent that clocked up double figure appearances for one of the best teams in the country, now learning her trade with the guidance of one of the best midfielders the SWPL has produced with Leanne Crichton on the Motherwell staff. This is a move that could be massive for both parties.
Finally, on the left. A move that had a lot of heads turning with Hibernian winger Katie Lockwood crossing the Princes Street divide and heading from Leith to Gorgie. The 25-year-old winger joining Eva Olid’s Hearts, certainly a move that stirs the emotions if nothing else. Aside from being an icon/traitor depending on which side of the divide you are on, Lockwood is a very exciting player to watch and at Hearts she has taken on a new role which has us very interested to see how the season unfolds. Now playing as a right sided central midfielder, she is tasked with drifting wide to support the winger ahead of her and progressing the ball through midfield with her pace and ball carrying ability. Her ability as a winger allows her to interchange with the wide player seamlessly to create confusion for opposition defenders and space for Hearts going forward. If the Jambos have the season many are expecting, she’ll certainly play a large role.
Before we get into our forward line and notable exceptions, we’d really appreciate if you share this article if you’re enjoying it. All our coverage of Scottish women’s football is free to read and the more eyes on it the better!
Forward Line
Our forward line is goals, goals, goals. Yes, we’re shoe-horning three strikers into a formation that only really has space for one but we think you’ll struggle to argue with these three (and we didn’t want to end a decade of friendship trying to debate which one to choose).
On the left, Hibernian fans’ new favourite #5 (what is it with American strikers and weird numbers? Mia Fishel #2 at Chelsea, Sydney Leroux #2 for Angel City…), Jorian Baucom. The Scottsdale, Arizona born attacking force has moved from Portuguese side Damaiense to front up Grant Scott’s new look Hibs, and she has lit up the league so far. Six goals and one assist at the time of writing this (albeit three penalties) but it is her impact on games outside of scoring that has us marking her as one of our ones to watch this season. She has grown in confidence with each passing game and as her confidence has grown, her creativity has followed. The league win over Aberdeen a perfect example of that as she played like she had a personal vendetta against the Dons. Dropping into midfield, sending the opposition into a spin with her tricks and ball control, expertly moving the ball on to her teammates in space. A real statement to say that she has arrived. Hibs had a tough time away to Motherwell in the next game and Baucom again showed her quality, this time as a sign that she may be the difference maker for Hibs in tight games. Turning a disappointing 0-0 into a 1-0 win in the blink of an eye. Grant Scott has been brought in to bring the vibes back to one of the SWPL’s most successful clubs, and Jorian Baucom certainly has our attention.
On the left we’re going with Rangers new goal machine, Rio Hardy. Jo Potter has an absolutely terrifying attacking threat on her hands with the 27-year-old joining from Durham. You should be well aware of how much we love Kirsty Howat, there aren’t many strikers in the league that strike more fear than her. Rio Hardy in just eight games is quickly joining her on that pedestal. 11 goals, three assists, a golden strike partnership with Howat. She’s such an all round threat that it’s hard to think of any weakness in her game, whether she’s drifting out wide, stretching defences through the middle, or dropping into midfield to link up play. The forward’s goalscoring form throughout her career has been ridiculous, in 83 games for Grindavik (Iceland), Apollon Limassol (Cyprus), and Durham (England, second tier) she scored 78 goals. To have maintained an almost goal a game record over a sample size that large is testament to the ability, and consistency, of the now Rangers #10.
Chris Marshall (otherwise known as
) had the exact same thought with regard to Rangers newest goalscoring sensation.Rangers’ summer recruit from Championship Durham, Rio Hardy, whose name conveniently ties into the 1982 Duran Duran hit ‘Rio’. A combination that has led to me being unable to see her name (and it’s popped up a lot such has been her proficiency in front of goal so far this season) without then imagining myself on the yacht alongside Simon Le Bon, belting out this new wave classic. She’s already helped herself to two-hat tricks this term, helping take some of the burden off last season's top scorer Kirsty Howat. Can she keep that scoring record up whilst also finding the goals in the key moments that passed by Rangers last season? We will have to wait and see but for now: “Her name is Rio and she’s scoring all the goals” will continue to ring around the Broadwood stands.
Then, last but not least, we’ve got Brenna Lovera tearing it up through the middle in our ‘ultimate team’ (that’d be a good name for a football game eh). A brief spell as an injury replacement player with the Chicago Red Stars in the NWSL ended with a solitary Challenge Cup appearance and Glasgow City are ever the richer. Just the two league goals and solitary assist in the league so far for the #9 but it is her work off the ball that has caught our eye. Defenders haven’t had a moments rest with her on the pitch and her hold up play has created acres of space for the other forwards in the team. There are clearly more goals to come as well, before moving to City she scored 29 in 48 during spells with ÍBV, Boavista, and most notably Selfoss where she won the league’s golden boot in 2021 and hit 21 in 34 over her two year stay.
So, there’s our team. 11 extremely exciting additions to the league, but we know some of you are sat there screaming at your preferred reading device about someone we missed. That’s why we reached out to some of the best at covering the SWPL to give us their favourites to make up…
The Bench (Notable Exceptions)
Kicking things off with the SWPL’s own TikTok star Casey Atkin who is looking out for one of our favourites that was within a hair’s breadth of making our team, Tegan Bowie.
[She’s] always able to cause a bit of excitement when she gets the ball, plus, coming out and putting on a player of the match performance against Celtic a few weeks ago was just outstanding. I’m looking forward for her to get the play time she deserves.
Theo Lloyd-Hughes of
has his eye on North American players all over the globe, with the SWPL’s American flavour becoming increasingly prominent we got his take and unsurprisingly it’s a North American that he’s highlighting.With Kathleen McGovern hitting the ground running in Edinburgh, the headlines have been grabbed when it comes to Hearts' successful transfer window additions. But I do pray you pay close attention to the arrival of American-Jamaican Sade Adamolekun. Don't take your eye off the talented 22-year-old. She could be the slow-burning signing of the year. With 39% of Hearts' goals so far this season coming from headers, crossing is where the winger could become a serious difference-maker in the SWPL. Curling, whirling, zipping, passes will fly from her boots.
For Press and Journal reporter Sophie Goodwin (who you all know we love) it’s a rejuvenated Celtic star that has caught the eye. Colette Cavanagh is back playing regular football and, as expected, she is back grabbing the headlines and banging on the national team’s door. There is a special mention for an Aberdeen star that would have made our team, had it not been for her unfortunate injury.
It feels like [Colette Cavanagh] is back in a team which suits her, after a largely underwhelming spell at Rangers, and Celtic have reaped the rewards of that. Especially with that last-minute winner over title rivals Glasgow City! Honourable mention has to go to goalkeeper Faye Kirby who even in only seven games looked like she was the signing of the season, but then an ACL injury cut her loan spell short.
To finish off our bench we have four players that were incredibly close to making the full team, and that balance out the bench perfectly in terms of positions.
For our backup keeper we’re going for Montrose’s new #1 Lauren Perry, the Northern Ireland international is one of many that has made the move to Angus from Dundee United and adds SWPL 1 and international pedigree to the squad as they make the step up.
In defence we’re going for Spartans’ left back Rebecca Foote, the Ainslie Park club conceded 17 in the four games prior to her joining the club but they’ve only conceded twice with her on the pitch (keeping two clean sheets). A really exciting addition to Debbi McCulloch’s backline that can hopefully help provide some freedom for the players ahead of her.
Joining her is one of her new teammates, Lauren Berman who joins from MTK Hungaria FC. The 28-year-old winger has been electric since joining the club, at college in the states she contributed double figure goals and assists, averaging a contribution every other game for Boston College. She’s well on track to repeat the feat with her new club, so far she has two goals and one assist in eight games (a contribution every 2.666 games). Taking the pressure off of Debbi McCulloch’s young guns and some of the goalscoring workload off of SWPL legends Alana Marshall and Becky Galbraith . Fits into the squad perfectly.
Finally, we’re adding Partick Thistle’s Lucy Sinclair to the mix. Partick Thistle were perhaps over-reliant on the output of Rachel Donaldson and Cara Henderson last season and needed to diversify their attacking threat this summer. That’s what they will be looking for from Sinclair. She was extremely impressive at Hamilton Accies and will now be looking to take a step up under Brian Graham’s tutelage.
So to recap, our team is Daugherty, Lawton, Cummings, Girasoli, Christie, Sullivan, Gibb, Lockwood, Baucom, Lovera, Hardy with Perry, Foote, Bowie, Cavanagh, Sinclair, Sade and Berman on the bench. 18 players who have changed club in the summer transfer window that we are keeping an eye on to have a big impact, have we missed anyone? Let us know in the comments! If you’re brave enough, give us a full XI…