The Women's Super League is set to kick off this week, following a summer transfer window filled with notable player movements.
The PA news agency has spotlighted five players to keep an eye on in the upcoming season, all of whom are starting afresh with new clubs.
Vivianne Miedema
One of the most significant transfers was that of Vivianne Miedema, the league's highest-ever scorer, who moved to Manchester City after her contract with Arsenal expired.
With 80 WSL goals under her belt, the 28-year-old Dutch international, who made a comeback last season after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury, will bolster an attack that already includes the 2023-24 Golden Boot winner Khadija Shaw (21 goals). This comes as Gareth Taylor's City aim to better their second-place finish in May, when they lost out to Chelsea on goal difference on the final day of the season.
Lucy Bronze
For the reigning champions, it has been a summer of significant change, including manager Emma Hayes departing to take over the United States team and Sonia Bompastor stepping in from Lyon as her successor.
Perhaps the most noteworthy addition to Chelsea's squad is England right-back Lucy Bronze, the 32-year-old former City and Lyon player who returns to the WSL after a two-year stint with Barcelona.
The expertise of five-time Champions League winner Bronze could be crucial in Chelsea's pursuit of a sixth consecutive title. The team has also welcomed Sandy Baltimore from Paris St Germain and is set to see the return of star forward Sam Kerr from an ACL injury.
Mariona Caldentey
As Miedema departs, Arsenal welcomes another high-profile attacker, Mariona Caldentey, who left Barca at the end of her contract. The 28 year old scored 114 goals during her decade with the Catalan club, won the Champions League three times, and was part of the victorious Spain team against England in the 2023 World Cup final.
She joins an Arsenal side that finished third last season under Jonas Eidevall.
Olivia Smith
Liverpool, a rising force in the WSL finishing fourth last season, have signed up-and-coming star Olivia Smith. At just 20 years old, Smith, who became Canada's youngest-ever player in 2019 at the age of 15, joins Matt Beard's team after an impressive first professional season, scoring 13 goals and providing nine assists in 18 league appearances for Sporting Lisbon.
It's reported that Liverpool paid a record club fee of £210,000 for the young talent.
Nikita Parris
Brighton have seen significant changes since the end of last season, with Dario Vidosic stepping in as manager and major player ins and outs, including the addition of Nikita Parris.
Parris, who was Manchester United's leading scorer last season, joined the team on deadline day following Elisabeth Terland's move to Brighton. The 30 year old England striker followed in the footsteps of her international colleague Fran Kirby, who left Chelsea to join the Seagulls.
Parris, a former player for City and Arsenal, boasts an impressive CV including a Euro 2022 win alongside Kirby and Bronze, as well as Champions League success with Lyon.
