The new season brings new expectations and new players to the BWSL and BWSL2, with some new summer signings already making their mark on the league.
Some of the most anticipated moves, particularly in the BWSL, are yet to show their full flair in the league, while some overlooked signings have already showcased their potential.
Here’s a review of seven of the biggest impact summer signings in the BWSL and BWSL2 so far, in no particular order.
1 - Lisa Baum
Arsenal’s summer transfer window saw a big shift in incomings and outgoings, but one player that has made the most impact arriving in North London is Lisa Baum.
While she wasn’t Arsenal’s most anticipated signing she has proved her immediate impact on the pitch and the potential she has to expand her attacking output in the BWSL.
Scoring the winner against Brighton on her debut, Baum demonstrated her explosive drive in transitions and her press resistant control. She created many chances in Arsenal’s 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace, with one chance hitting the bar before the others were denied by the Palace keeper.
At just 19-years-old she has a huge volume of potential, with her versatility across the front line a huge addition to this Arsenal side.
2 - Vivien Endemann
Liverpool’s new forward Vivien Endemann arrived for Gareth Taylor’s second season in charge of the Reds, with the 25-year-old German international bringing high expectations from her time playing in the Bundesliga and Champions League.
Meeting these expectations early on Endemann earned a goal and an assist in the Red’s opening 4-0 victory over Charlton and was a constant threat down the right.
She had four chances in the game, the joint-most of any player in gameweek 1, with a match high of 10 touches in the opposition box, showing her dominance for Liverpool’s attack.
The 25-year-old is continuing her efficiency and consistency in converting chances from her time at Wolfsburg, an area the Reds struggled with last season and could be exactly what they need for a top half finish this season.
3 - Kirsty Hanson
One of the most anticipated summer signings from within the BWSL was Kirsty Hanson’s move to North London, which came with high expectations.
Since the start of the 2024/25 season only four players have been directly involved in more BWSL goals than her (22), and last season she was joint sixth for goals among players in Europe’s top five leagues last season.
She scored a brace on her BWSL debut against West Ham, becoming the first Spurs player to do so and her three braces in the BWSL in 2026 are the joint-most of any player. Her brace is extremely impressive as it came from a combined xG of just 0.32, showing her proven efficiency in front of goal.
Hanson aided Tottenham in recording the highest shot accuracy of any BWSL side that week with 72.7% in their 3-1 victory despite having just 41% possession. With her proven goal scoring record, especially from fast breaks, it is clear she is the one to watch this season in Spurs’ attack.
4 - Molly Bartrip
Crystal Palace’s transition from the BWSL2 to BWSL required some experienced reinforcements at all ends of the pitch, but especially in the defence.
Some fans focused on the big names brought in to support the attack, but Palace’s new defender Molly Bartrip has been a huge part of the record breaking clean sheets they have kept in the first two games.
Against Arsenal the Eagles became the first promoted team to keep a clean sheet away against a team that finished in the top two last season. Throughout the match Bartrip made a match-high 18 clearances, 8 were headed. In the 27th minute she made a vital goal line clearance to deny a chance from Alexia Russo.
Bartrip’s addition to the Palace squad brought valuable experience on facing possession heavy tough opponents from her time in the BWSL and could be the voice at the back that helps Palace remain in the league.
5 - Elise Hughes
The move of Elise Hughes from Crystal Palace to Sunderland may have not caught many outside fan’s eyes but in the first two games Hughes has proved what a great move this was for both Sunderland and her career.
Hughes struggled to break through at Palace last season after making her way back into the squad following an ACL injury which kept her out of Palace’s first time in the BWSL.
She has had an immediate impact at Sunderland, scoring all three goals in their 2-1 victory over Burnley last weekend, leaving the Black Cats top of the BWSL2 table with two wins from two.
As Sunderland look to push for a top spot in the league under Melanie Reay this season, Hughes' experience winning promotion twice with Palace and her goal scoring record could see her become the crucial part of Sunderland’s attack.
6 - Rachel McLauchlan
Making a move from the BWSL to the BWSL2, Rachel McLauchlan has already added valuable experience from her time at Brighton to Newcastle’s backline as they look to battle for a top place in the league.
Taking part in Newcastle’s first two games the 29-year-old helped the Magpies land two victories and two clean sheets, becoming the only side to not concede in the BWSL2 so far.
Tanya Oxtoby’s side hosted newly promoted Wolverhampton on the first day of the season, winning 2-0, before travelling to Bristol City for a 1-0 victory.
In their second game against Bristol City McLauchlan won 12 duels, 3 tackles and made 6 clearances with a 81% passing accuracy. She also created the most chances showing her ability lies beyond just her defensive duties, which could be an important part of Newcastle’s push for promotion.
7 - Paulina Nyström
Following Lecister’s relegation to the BWSL2 the Foxes are hoping to jump straight back up, with new signing Paulina Nyström beginning to fill the void left by the exit of Shannon O’Brien and Noemie Mouchon.
The 26-year-old joined the Foxes from BK Hacken and had an immediate impact in their first two games. In their six goal thriller against Durham the Swedish international scored from close range, assisted and contributed to a Durham own goal, leaving the score as 4-2 to the Foxes.
In the match against Durham she registered the most touches in the opposition box (8) and the most shots (4) showing her presence on the pitch and proving her goal-scoring potential in assisting Rick Passmoor’s side in making the climb back to the top flight.
