Everton have signed Manchester United goalkeeper Emily Ramsey on loan for the duration of the 2022/23 season, one of three deals announced by the Toffees on Friday.
Reading were also busy, bringing Charlie Wellings back to the WSL following a prolific spell north of the border with Celtic. The Royals also landed three new players in total.
As well as Ramsey, Everton have brought in Denmark internationals Sara and Karen Holmgaard from German club Turbine Potsdam. The twins were both named in Denmark’s squad for Euro 2022 last month and join fellow Danes Rikke Sevecke and manager Brian Sorensen on Merseyside.
Sara is a left-back and Karen is a defensive midfielder, but only the latter is staying with the Toffees in the short-term as Sara has already joined Danish club Fortuna Hjorring on loan.
In Ramsey, Everton have landed an highly regarded English talent. The 21-year-old impressed on loan at Birmingham last season in difficult circumstances and will now have the opportunity for more first-team action as a replacement for Sandy MacIver, who has joined Manchester City.
“I knew it’s a big opportunity when a club like Everton were interested, so it was a no-brainer for me,” she said.
“I had a good loan with Birmingham – I got exposed to a lot which was good for my growth – and I knew that I wanted to progress further with a club that had bigger ambitions in the league.”
As for Reading, former Bristol City forward Wellings joins off the back of more than a goal per game for Celtic alongside goalkeeper Jacqueline Burns and winger Lauren Wade, both of whom were members of Northern Ireland’s Euro 2022 squad.
Manager Kelly Chambers said of Wellings: “I want to have a challenging environment, I want more depth, but also to have the quality to make sure that we’re competing in this league and Charlie definitely adds that. Alongside that, she has experience in this league she’s been here she’s done it.”
Chambers confirmed the Royals have been watching Wade for some time and also spoke highly of Burns, who arrives in English football following a recent spell in Sweden.
Elsewhere in the WSL on Friday, Chelsea announced the arrival of Johanna Rytting Kaneryd.
The summer transfer window closes on Thursday 8 September, two days before the 2022/23 season gets underway.
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