West Ham captain Dagny Brynjarsdottir has announced she is expecting her second child.
The 31-year-old from Iceland, who joined the Hammers in January 2021, gave birth to son Brynjar in June 2018 while she was playing in the United States for Portland Thorns.
Brynjarsdottir told West Ham TV: “From growing up supporting West Ham to becoming the club captain and then bringing my son, Brynjar, into the West Ham family, I’m delighted to announce that there will be a new addition to the West Ham family next year.
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“I think it’s amazing how much the club supports me with my son. Not every club would let their kid come to the training ground and on to the pitch. I’m very grateful that he gets to have all of these experiences with me and, because of that, he is a big West Ham fan today and will be the rest of his life.
“When Brynjar comes to the training ground it just feels like extended family. Everyone is so nice and calm and it’s just one big family – and I’m excited to be adding to that family.”
Brynjarsdottir has made 65 appearances and scored 17 goals for the Hammers, who finished eighth in the Women’s Super League last season.
She will not play during the forthcoming season, with the club adding: “Everyone at West Ham United would like to congratulate Dagny and her partner Omar on their fantastic news.”
Chelsea will get their Women’s Super League title defence under way with a clash against Tottenham at Stamford Bridge on October 1.
The 5.30pm kick-off between Emma Hayes’ champions and Spurs, in their first match under new head coach Robert Vilahamn, is one of three games on the 2023-24 season’s opening day that are set to take place at Premier League grounds.
Last term’s runners-up Manchester United play Aston Villa at Villa Park in the day’s earliest contest (12.30pm kick-off), and Arsenal face Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium.
Promoted Bristol City will begin their WSL return by taking on Leicester at Ashton Gate.
Tuesday’s fixtures announcement also revealed Manchester City are to go to West Ham and Everton host Brighton on the opening day.
Chelsea – who have lost their opener in each of the last two campaigns, and are bidding to secure a fifth successive title, and seventh overall – earlier this month announced the club were committed to holding four WSL games at Stamford Bridge during the 2023-24 season.
Arsenal had already confirmed they would be playing five at the Emirates, and after their match against Liverpool, the Gunners are scheduled to also play there in their next home fixture, against Villa on October 15.
The stadium is then set to host Jonas Eidevall’s side playing Chelsea on December 10, Manchester United on February 18 and Tottenham in a March 3 derby. Last September, Arsenal beat Spurs 4-0 there in front a WSL record crowd of 47,367.
The second round of fixtures on October 8 features Manchester City v Chelsea and Manchester United v Arsenal.
The ‘Women’s Football Weekend’ pencilled in for March 23-24 includes derbies of Manchester City hosting Manchester United and Everton entertaining Liverpool, while the concluding round of fixtures, on May 18, includes Chelsea playing United away.
The new top-flight season starts six weeks after the conclusion of the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, the final of which takes place on August 20.
The Women’s Championship is set to begin on August 26 with Birmingham, who finished second last season, facing Blackburn at Ewood Park, while promoted Watford hosting Durham is among five fixtures taking place the next day.
Chelsea have signed England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton on a free transfer from Aston Villa.
The 22-year-old, capped twice by her country and named in Sarina Wiegman’s squad for this summer’s World Cup, has signed a three-year deal after her contract with Villa expired.
She brings Women’s Super League experience from stints with both Birmingham and Villa, having made 15 appearances while helping the latter to a fifth-placed finish last term.
Hampton was part of England’s trophy-winning squad at Euro 2022 and also has honours to her name from the Finalissima earlier this year and 2022’s Arnold Clark Cup.
In joining the reigning WSL champions, she now wants to add club silverware to her collection.
“I’m very excited,” Hampton said on the Chelsea website. “It’s a massive club, it’s an honour to be a part of this and to be able to wear the club’s badge. I want to keep improving, to help the team however I can and I’d love to win some trophies with the club at the same time.”
Hampton began her career with Villarreal in Spain after moving to the country as a youngster, but then returned to England with Stoke before joining hometown club Birmingham, making her senior debut in 2017 and making 50 appearances before switching to rivals Villa in 2021.
Chelsea boss Emma Hayes added: “There is no doubt that Hannah is one of the best young goalkeepers in the world. Her performances have been improving year on year, and we have high hopes for her future with us.”
England forward Alessia Russo is targeting silverware after joining Arsenal on a free transfer.
As her contract with Women’s Super League rivals Manchester United expired, the Gunners swooped to land the 24-year-old striker.
Russo hit 10 goals in the WSL last season as United finished runners-up to champions Chelsea.
She emerged as a January transfer target for Arsenal, but a world-record bid was shunned by the Red Devils as they pushed to claim the title.
Russo did not sign a new deal and was instead free to leave Manchester for north London – where she is keen to add domestic medals to the Women’s Euro success she enjoyed with the Lionesses last summer.
“I’m really excited to be here and I can’t wait to get going,” Russo said after joining Arsenal.
“I want to win trophies – as does everyone in this club. I can’t wait to get stuck in and grow as a player – it’s a new challenge and a new environment.”
“I think the growth of the women’s game has been incredible, but particularly at a club like Arsenal.
“The sell-out against Wolfsburg at Emirates Stadium last season was fantastic and I’m just really excited to be part of this club.”
Russo, who is part of the England squad heading to the World Cup later this summer, has hit 11 goals in 21 senior appearances for her country.
“Alessia is one of the best forwards in the world and has significant potential to continue growing and improving,” said Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall.
“She has a proven track record of scoring goals in the WSL and at international level and we believe she will be a quality addition to our forward line, so we’re all delighted to have brought her to the club.”
Russo becomes Arsenal’s third signing of the summer following the acquisitions of defender Amanda Ilestedt and forward Cloe Lacasse from Paris Saint-Germain and Benfica respectively.
Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor has signed a one-year contract extension to keep him in charge of the Women’s Super League side for the 2023-24 season.
The 50-year-old was appointed in May 2020, succeeding Nick Cushing, and went on to oversee City winning a delayed FA Cup final in November of that year and the League Cup in March 2022. They were also FA Cup runners-up in 2021-22.
Having finished second and then third in the WSL in the previous two seasons, the team missed out on the Champions League spots in 2022-23 with a fourth-placed finish.
At the start of the campaign they were knocked out in the qualifying rounds of the European competition for a second successive year.
After seeing the likes of Lucy Bronze, Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway and Caroline Weir leave the club last summer, City lost their first two league games, then bounced back by going unbeaten in the next 14, winning 12, before finishing with three defeats and three victories across their final six matches.
Taylor, whose tenure has featured 79 wins from 109 games in all competitions to date, said: “I’m very happy to have signed a new deal with the club – it feels great to have gotten it over the line.
“I’m very happy to be able to commit to City for another season, and 2023-24 is one that I’m so excited about.
“We have been in a transitional period over the past 12 months, and the women’s game has changed so much during my three years in charge.
“We were fortunate to win trophies in each of my first two seasons, and although we haven’t been successful on that front this past year, the pride I’ve taken has come in different forms.
“I’ve really felt that it has been so enjoyable in terms of where the team is at, where I think that they can go and what they can achieve for this football club.
“I know that there is pressure on us to succeed, but I enjoy that – I have always challenged myself throughout my career and that’s now more important than ever as a coach.
“I really want to try and squeeze every single last drop out of what I feel I’m able to do personally, and I believe that this group of players have the ability to turn those nearly moments into actual moments with the support of myself and the staff to get us to the next level.”
Managing director Gavin Makel said: “We’re very pleased to have Gareth commit himself to the club for another year.
“Together, we are building an exciting team full of talented players, both young and experienced, all with a shared vision of beautiful football and on-pitch success.
“Gareth is someone who embraces the City Football Group methodology in its entirety, and it has been really pleasing to see him grow as a coach over the past three years.
“Nils (Nielsen, the team’s director of football) and I are very much looking forward to continuing our work with him next season alongside this amazing group of players, with the future being incredibly bright for Manchester City.”
Women’s Super League clubs saw aggregate revenues rise by 60 per cent in a record-breaking 2021-22 season, according to new figures published by Deloitte.
Clubs brought in combined revenues of £32million, up from £20million in the previous season, with the increases driven by new commercial and broadcast deals.
The higher revenues helped clubs bring down their aggregate wages-to-revenue ratio from 92 per cent to 78 per cent despite wages rising to a combined total of £25million, up 37 per cent on the previous campaign.
Clubs made an aggregate pre-tax loss of £14million, according to Deloitte’s Annual Review of Football Finance, which will be released in full on Thursday.
From the start of last season, WSL and Women’s Championship clubs enjoyed the fruits of the largest broadcast deal of any professional women’s football league, worth a reported £8million per season.
WSL clubs took a 75 per share and Championship clubs 25 per cent, with an equal fixed amount per club, plus a share based on league position.
Deloitte noted that revenues should continue to rise. A new title sponsorship deal which began this season includes a £30million investment into the WSL and Women’s Championship from 2022-25, while clubs are also benefitting from increased attendance.
Matchday revenues accounted for nearly 10 per cent of WSL clubs’ combined revenues during 2021-22 with an average league attendance of 1,923, but with crowds up by nearly 200 per cent to 5,616 per match in the season just finished, those numbers should increase considerably.
Zoe Burton, director in Deloitte’s Sports Business Group, said: “The women’s game achieved significant leaps in revenue in the 2021/22 season.
“The Lionesses’ success at the UEFA Women’s Euros is pinned as an inflexion point for the popularity of women’s football, so it’s telling that even before this historic win revenues had begun to grow in the Women’s Super League.
“We have already seen new records set for attendance, viewership and the value of commercial partnerships in the 2022/23 season.
“Organisations should not be shy about the commercial opportunities available in women’s football, and we are now reaching the point where clubs can seek to maximise the value associated with the women’s game by unbundling revenue streams to target a unique fanbase.”
Deloitte found that WSL clubs continue to receive significant backing from their wider organisations, with group income accounting for around 40 per cent of revenue across the league. That backing will be used to cover the losses made by WSL clubs.
The range in wage costs across the WSL clubs increased from £2.7million in 2020/21 to £3.6million in 2021/22.
Arsenal have confirmed that forward Caitlin Foord has signed a new contract with the Women’s Super League club.
The 28-year-old joined the Gunners from US side Portland Thorns in 2020 and has since made 94 appearances for the club.
Foord played a big part for Arsenal this season, scoring 11 goals and providing nine assists across 33 appearances.
“I couldn’t be happier to extend my stay here at Arsenal,” she said.
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“I feel like I’m growing and improving being here in this environment so I don’t want to leave that.
“I want to continue to get better and to help the team – I enjoy going out and training every day and wanting to be better and being surrounded by world class players. This feels like the right place – the place I want to be.”
As well as helping Arsenal secure a third-placed finish in the WSL, Foord was part of the team that won the Continental Cup this year and head coach Jonas Eidevall is looking forward to next season with the Australia international.
“Caitlin is an integral part of our team so we’re all delighted by the news that she has signed a new contract,” Eidevall said.
“She is one of the best forwards in the world and has performed to a consistently high standard for us during my time here, providing some crucial goals and delivering on the biggest stages.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together next season and Caitlin will play a key role in that.”
Reading will go part-time following their relegation from the Women’s Super League.
The Royals dropped down to the second tier for the first time since 2015 after finishing bottom of the 2022/23 table, amassing just 11 points from their 22 games.
Owner Dai Yongge has been financing the club but they will lose their full-time status in order to operate in a more sustainable financial manner.
“Difficult but necessary financial decisions are being made across the business following the club’s relegation to League One last season and, after discussions with the FA, the decision to operate Reading FC Women on a part-time basis represents the most viable solution at the present time,” chief executive Dayong Pang said.
“We would like to acknowledge all of the hard work and unquestionable dedication to Reading Football Club of Kelly Chambers and her coaching staff, the players and all the staff.
“The club will now be working extremely hard to build a team to proudly represent our town in the WSL Championship in the 2023-24 campaign.
“Our owner, Mr Dai Yongge, has his full focus concentrated on our club’s rebuild. He is fully committed to consolidating our efforts into a sensible and sustainable reset, designed to bring success back to RG2.”
Defender Steph Catley has signed a new deal with Arsenal, the Women’s Super League club have announced.
The 29-year-old has made 74 appearances for the north London side since making her August 2020 debut as a substitute in Arsenal’s Champions League quarter-final with Paris St Germain.
Catley scored one goal and provided four assists across 32 appearances for Jonas Eidevall’s side this season and is a centurion for Australia having represented the Matildas at two World Cups and two Olympics.
She said: “It feels amazing – this feels like home. I’ve made some incredible friendships here and when the offer came around I knew exactly what I wanted to do and exactly where I wanted to be.
“I’ve never been happier playing football and I feel like this team is very special – we’re building something special and in the future we’re capable of achieving anything.”
Catley joins Lia Walti and Frida Maanum on a growing list of Arsenal players who have chosen to extend their stay.
Head coach Eidevall said: “I’m delighted Steph has signed a new contract with us. Steph is one of the best defenders in the game and brings so much to this group both on and off the pitch.
“She’s a model professional and has delivered time and again when called upon throughout my time here, so we’re all pleased to say Steph will continue to be a part of Arsenal for years to come.”
Head of women’s football Clare Wheatley added: “It’s great news that Steph has signed a new deal here at Arsenal. Steph is one of the top players in the world in her position and has been such a consistent performer in the time she has been here. She is a key part of this team and we’re delighted to say she will continue to wear the Arsenal colours moving forward.”
Manchester City captain Steph Houghton has signed a one-year contract extension with the Women’s Super League club.
The 35-year-old has been with City for almost a decade since joining from Arsenal and her new deal will extend her stay until the summer of 2024.
Houghton is City’s all-time record appearance maker, having featured in 233 games across all competitions, and has helped the club win the 2016 Women’s Super League title as well as three FA Cups and four Continental Tyres League Cups.
The England international, who started her career at Sunderland before joining Leeds, expressed her delight at the “easy decision” to sign a new deal.
“I’m over the moon to have another year to look forward to at this amazing club,” Houghton told the club website.
“Manchester City has been my home for almost 10 years, and I love everything about it– it’s my club, and to sign for another year, I’m absolutely buzzing.
“When I first joined, I just wanted to be here as long as I could, and to play at the top level, so I never really put a number on it. Once you get closer to that decade mark though, you do think about the idea of hitting that milestone.
“I feel good in myself and my body, and I’m really enjoying my football, so it was an easy decision for me in all honesty.”
Houghton suffered an Achilles injury in January 2022 which ended her season but she returned to help the team finish fourth this campaign, making 24 appearances.
City head coach Gareth Taylor said: “She is such a huge part of the club as a whole and the impact she has had during her time here so far– whether it be on or off the pitch- is testament to that.
“Steph is such an important member of our squad and her experience is invaluable. She is the consummate professional, with her team mentality at the forefront of everything that she does.
“Her hunger and desire to win and succeed is something that makes her one of the game’s legends, and having the opportunity to work with her for another year is something we’re all thrilled about.”
Chelsea striker Lauren James has signed a new contract which will keep her at the club until the summer of 2027, the Blues have announced.
The 21-year-old, who was named in Sarina Wiegman’s England squad for this summer’s World Cup finals on Wednesday, was part of Emma Hayes’ side as they completed a second consecutive Women’s Super League and FA Cup double during the season which has just ended.
James told the club’s official website: “It’s an amazing feeling to extend my stay at the club I love and where I feel most at home. I’m looking forward to the future and I want to reach my full potential.
“I want to be the best version of me as a player and as a person, helping to inspire the next generation. It definitely feels like home and it’s always been the place I’ve wanted to be.”
Schooled in Chelsea’s academy, James made her senior debut for Arsenal as a 16-year-old and signed her first professional deal with Manchester United before returning to the Blues on a four-year contract in July 2021.
General manager Paul Green said: “We’re delighted that Lauren has signed an extended deal. She has built on last season and taken another step forward in her development.
“She is one of the best young players in the world, who is blue through and through. We look forward to seeing her continue to progress and we believe she will go on to achieve big things at the club.”
Manchester City striker Khadija Shaw has signed a two-year contract extension with the Women’s Super League outfit running to the summer of 2026.
The 26-year-old Jamaica international, nicknamed ‘Bunny’, scored 31 goals in 30 City appearances in all competitions in the 2022-23 season and has netted 50 times for them in total since joining in 2021 from Bordeaux.
Shaw said in a statement from the club: “I’m delighted to continue my journey with this amazing group.
“Everyone made me feel welcome from the first day I came here. I enjoy the way we play and I’m at a stage now where I understand the way we play and I can only get better and grow.
“I think here at City is the perfect place for me. I put all my effort and time on the pitch and obviously for the position I play and the quality I have around me, I know I’m going to be in positions to score goals.
“I’ve always said Manchester feels like home away from home too. I enjoy coming into the City ground every day and training with the group, vibing with the girls and I also have family here, so Manchester has felt like home ever since I arrived.
“I just want to thank our fans for everything, all the love and support they’ve given me since I arrived. I’ll just try my best to continue repaying them on the football pitch.”
City boss Gareth Taylor said: “Bunny’s growth and development as a player over the past two years, but particularly this season, has been fantastic and we’re thrilled to see her extend her contract with us.
“She has thrived having had the opportunity of extended runs in the team throughout the current campaign and has shown on a regular basis what a talent she is and why we brought her to the club.
“She scored goals regularly in France and America prior to joining us and has now shown what she’s capable of in England too – which says a lot about her ability.
“She is still a young player though who wants to improve and is hungry for success and we’re only scratching the surface with her which is a very exciting prospect as we aim to develop her even further over the next three years.”
Reggae Girlz captain, Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw has won the award for Manchester City Women’s Player of the Season, having come out on top in a fan vote.
Shaw, in her second season for Manchester City Women, scored 31 goals in all competitions, surpassing the record for the most goals by a Women’s player across a single season. She also claimed the WSL Player of the Month awards in November and March and received the Goal of the Season prize for her strike against Arsenal in April 2023.
Shaw, who scored twice in Manchester City Women's 3-2 win over Everton on Saturday's final day of the season, did miss out on the Women’s Super League Golden Boot having bagged 20 league goals, two shy of Aston Villa’s Rachel Daley’s 22. Daley scored in Aston Villa's 2-0 win over Arsenal.
Manchester City Women finished fourth in the WSL on 47 points behind winners Chelsea Women who amassed 58 points from their 22 games. Manchester United Women finished second with 56 points. Arsenal Women were third on 47 points, the same as Manchester City Women, who lost their first two games of the season before going on a 16-game unbeaten run.
However, the Cityzens lost three of their last six games and fell out of the running for the title. They finished with a record of 15 wins, two draws and five losses.
Paul Konchesky has left his position as West Ham manager after the Women’s Super League season ended on Saturday.
The former England defender, who made 70 appearances for the Hammers, was promoted from assistant in May 2022 when boss Olli Harder departed the club.
Konchesky signed a two-year deal, but has left the Hammers after just 29 games in charge, with the club finishing eighth in the WSL table following a 2-2 draw at home to London rivals Tottenham in their final match of the campaign.
“I am proud and honoured to have had the opportunity to manage this club,” Konchesky told the club’s official website.
“My players and my staff have always given me 100 per cent and while some of our results have been disappointing this season, we still have a lot to be proud of, including reaching the semi-final of the Conti Cup. I wish the club well for the future.”
West Ham Women general manager Aidan Boxall said: “We would like to thank Paul for his contribution to the club, both as manager and during his spell as assistant manager.
“He has played a key role in the ongoing development of the women’s team and we wish him well for the future.”
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