da supremo： American stars, stand-outs from last year's World Cup and exciting young prospects all arrived into the WSL this winter

da dobrowin： Any manager will tell you that the January transfer window is notoriously difficult to operate in, but Women's Super League clubs certainly spent last month making sure it remained of interest with some blockbuster deals secured across the whole division.

With relegation-threatened West Ham signing a United States women's national team star to bolster their chances of survival and Chelsea responding to the devastating ACL injury suffered by Sam Kerr with a transfer that could set a new world-record fee in the women's game, it was a window that was headline-grabbing throughout.

So, which deals impressed the most? GOAL ranks the top 10 transfers made by WSL clubs in January…

Getty10Matilda Vinberg (Tottenham)

A signing as much for the future as it is for the present for Tottenham, Matilda Vinberg was named the Breakthrough Player of the Year at the end of the 2022 Damallsvenskan season, and to win an award in a league like Sweden's which is brimming with talented young prospects is no mean feat.

She ended her third season in her homeland's top flight with her best-ever return of seven goals, helping Hammarby to become Swedish champions for the first time in 38 years, and then decided to open a new chapter in her career with a January switch to Tottenham, where she will link-up with a fellow Swede in head coach Robert Vilahamn.

Spurs impressed in the first half of the season, not just with results like a first-ever win over north London rivals Arsenal, but because of the promising project they are building under Vilahamn. The recruitment of a top young talent like Vinberg, who is only 20 years old, is only another reason for fans to be optimistic about the future.

AdvertisementGetty9Yuka Momiki (Leicester)

Another talent that has arrived in England from Sweden's Damallsvenskan, Yuka Momiki was one of the stars of the 2023 season thanks to the 15 goals and seven assists she recorded in just 24 outings for Linkopings. Though her team would fall just short of winning the title, Momiki did help them secure a Champions League spot and landed herself a nomination for the league's MVP award, while also being named Midfielder of the Year.

The Japanese star ended her time with the club on a high, then, before securing a switch to Leicester in January. She's already settled in nicely with the Foxes, putting in a couple of lively and creative performances in the league while registering an assist in the 5-1 thrashing of Everton in the Conti Cup.

After surviving a serious relegation scare last season, Leicester appear to have really kicked on this season and signings like that of Momiki will only help them take further steps forward.

Getty8Saori Takarada (Leicester)

Momiki isn’t the only Japanese talent that Leicester have added to their ranks in this transfer window. Saori Takarada was the Foxes’ first signing, a deal agreed back in early December, and she is already making a really positive impression in her new environment.

Only 23 years old, Takarada is a versatile footballer who plays with a maturity beyond her years and she has shown that in her first handful of appearances for Leicester, with her performance in the cup win over Everton particularly impressive.

Upon her arrival, Foxes boss Willie Kirk described his new signing as a player he felt could be “the missing link” for his team. While that might’ve added pressure for some, it hasn’t here, with Takarada already showing signs that she can live up to that hype at Leicester.

Getty7Nathalie Bjorn (Chelsea)

Picking up the Swedish theme again, Chelsea's first signing of this transfer window saw them bring in Sweden international Nathalie Bjorn for a significant six-figure fee. A versatile footballer who can play in a back three, a back four or in midfield, the 26-year-old also brings a wealth of experience with her after being involved with her national team for eight years now.

That ability to play multiple positions suits a Chelsea team that are fluid and adaptable themselves, but Bjorn's arrival is a particular boost for the Blues because of the absence of Millie Bright, who has been sidelined for a few months now with an injury.

The former Everton star adds necessary depth to the centre of defence, then, and is at that stage in her career where she is ready to kick on and take the next step, with her primed to develop into an important player for Chelsea in the years to come.