Top January Signings: Early Impact Top Seven
The January transfer window proved to be one of the most ambitious and expensive in Barclays Women’s Super League history. Millions have been spent and records have been smashed. The impact on the pitch has been just as significant. Several teams splashed the cash with sublime strategic precision, and have succeeded in transforming struggling campaigns or strengthening already successful sides.
However, not every move delivered the same level of influence. Here, we’ll explore the signings that have truly reshaped the game in 2026, and what has made them so effective.
Signe Gaupset: Tottenham’s Emerging Creative Force
When 20-year-old Signe Gaupset signed for Tottenham, she was already one of the world’s most talented midfielders, having proven herself as a consistent club player for Brann and a threat on the global stage.
Still, there were doubts about whether she could remain such a prolific goalscorer away from her native Norway. Luckily for the Lilywhites, Signe settled into the squad seamlessly, continuing to look every bit the clinical, fearless attacker she was billed to be.
The numbers speak for themselves. Gaupset has played eight games and scored twice, once in Spurs’ all-action 7-3 win against Aston Villa back in February and again in a losing effort against Everton in March. She even provided an assist in the former.
And you know what’s really remarkable? If you’re familiar with her last season at Brann, you’ll know she’s capable of so much more. Her 2024/25 campaign saw 15 goals and 14 assists across 26 games, earning her the league’s Player of the Year award.
Spurs clearly know the difference-maker they have on their hands, a creative playmaker capable of turning any game in their favour, and they have immediately placed Signe Gaupset at the heart of their attack. It’s paid off handsomely, and if history is any indicator, this is the start of something truly special.
Wilma Leidhammar: Birmingham’s Record Signing Turning Promise into Promotion Power
The biggest news from the BWSL2 transfer window was Birmingham City’s record-breaking signing of Wilma Leidhammar, reportedly worth approximately £316,000. The Blues view her as a striker capable not only of securing promotion, but also of ensuring they are ready to compete in the Barclays Women’s Super League once they arrive.
Well, are they wrong?
So far, Leidhammar has slotted seamlessly into the Blues setup and strategy. Her physicality, persistence, and ability to create chances and link play have made her an ideal fit. The results speak for themselves. Birmingham City currently sit top of the league with 41 points, while Leidhammar has scored five goals in nine games.
That’s more than a goal every two matches, and even more importantly, her influence in maintaining possession and build-up play could be exactly what Birmingham need not only to get promoted, but to establish themselves firmly in the top-flight.
Jennifer Falk: The Anchor of Liverpool’s Revival
Following a humbling 9-1 defeat to Chelsea in the Women’s League Cup quarter-final, and a season that left the Reds bottom of the league by Christmas, it was clear Liverpool needed to plug the gaps in a defence that had gone from leaky to completely flooded.
Help arrived in the form of Sweden’s Jennifer Falk, on loan from BK Häcken. She’d already grabbed headlines in July of last year by saving four England penalties for her country in a dramatic Women’s Euro 2025 quarter-final. Sweden ultimately came up short, but it was a history-making performance from Falk, and Liverpool were right to pay attention.
Since joining in January, she has made 19 saves across eight BWSL games, an average of 2.38 per 90 minutes, including a sublime one-on-one save against Tottenham’s Signe Gaupset. She also kept six clean sheets in 11 appearances in all competitions for Liverpool in 2026.
The Swedish keeper has been the anchor keeping the Reds steady as they climbed clear of the dreaded drop. After ending the year without a single win, they have since picked up 14 points, with four wins and two draws.
Put it this way: of all the points Liverpool have earned this season, 82.3% have come since Falk came in. And yes, she was just one part of a very fruitful transfer window that also included the likes of Denise O’Sullivan, Alice Bergström and Anna Jøsendal. But it was Liverpool’s sieve-like defence that first needed addressing to pull them to safety before all their hard work could be undone. With Falk between the posts, that collapse has been halted.
Sam Coffey: City’s New Midfield Powerhouse
With Yui Hasegawa, arguably the most complete midfielder in women’s football, away at the Asian Cup, Manchester City needed to replace the depth she provides to maintain their dominance in the Barclays Women’s Super League. Enter 2024 US Olympic champion, 2022 NWSL champion and all-round international standout Sam Coffey.
The quality and physicality Sam has brought to the team were immediately obvious, even in her 15-minute City debut against London City Lionesses. Cool, calm and composed, she helped them weather the storm which allowed a strike from Khadija Shaw to secure a 2–1 victory.
Coffey excelled again in City’s crucial 5–1 battering of then title contenders Chelsea. Kerolin may have stolen the show with a hat-trick that lit up the Etihad Stadium, but Coffey was rock-solid in the defensive midfield role she settled into after coming on in the 64th minute.
Sam was just as assured in one-sided wins over Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Leicester City and Sheffield United, providing the stability and leadership needed for the likes of Vivianne Miedema, Kerolin Nicoli and a returning Yui Hasegawa to shine.
And she’s only just getting started. Manchester City have been careful not to disrupt their winning formula, even with a player of Coffey’s quality. So far, she has only played the full 90 minutes on a handful of occasions and is yet to score, although three shots across four starts and a deflected effort against Aston Villa makes that feel like only a matter of time.
Regardless of who’s on the scoresheet, a team like City doesn’t dominate without every cog in the machine operating at full speed. Coffey arrived as a world-class talent and is only getting better as she adapts to her new environment. Precise, confident, and consistently helping Man City move up the pitch, her star has only just begun to rise.
Tuva Hansen: Bringing Stability to West Ham’s Defence
It’s a match made in heaven. Tuva Hansen desired more game time than Bayern were willing to offer, while West Ham were eager to gobble up the experience and depth she brings to the team.
The Norwegian veteran made her debut alongside Katie Zelem against Brighton, delivering a formidable performance that was quickly built upon, including an excellent showing against London City Lionesses. Hansen was also instrumental in helping her side claw back a point in a hard-fought draw with Manchester United, a crucial result in their relegation battle.
It hasn’t all been plain sailing. When you join a team fighting for survival in the top division, that’s rarely the case. For instance, the Hammers were outgunned 5–0 by Arsenal in March, and there were few positives to take from that performance. Even more painfully, it was Hansen’s misplaced pass that led to the winner in a 2–1 defeat.
But the bottom line is that West Ham’s defence looks considerably more solid than it did just a few months ago, and Tuva is a major part of the reason why. If they can stay the course this season, she could play a key role in their survival and be central to any future revitalisation.
Hayley Ladd: Instant Impact for Crystal Palace
You couldn’t have asked for a better start. Hayley Ladd scored the winning goal in the 86th minute of her very first game for Crystal Palace against Sheffield United, coming on as a half-time substitute after signing from Everton. A beautifully curled free-kick that made 12th January a dream debut.
And it wasn’t her only contribution to the bottom line. She helped Palace secure a hard-fought 3–2 victory over then-league leaders Charlton Athletic, scoring a textbook first-half stoppage-time equaliser. Given how little separates the top end of the table and those crucial promotion places, you could easily argue that Ladd’s goal was among the most important of the season.
Ladd has also proven effective as an all-round defensive midfielder, averaging 4.29 tackles and 1.71 interceptions per 90 minutes. At present, Palace have a real chance of reaching the highest level and a player of Hayley Ladd’s consistency and fortitude could be what takes them over the line. How’s that for return on investment?
Alice Bergström: Liverpool’s Aggressive New Attacking Edge
It’s easy to forget just how toothless Liverpool’s attack looked by the end of last year, so significant has been the impact of the transfer window on their prospects. Remember, Taylor’s side not only ended 2025 staring down the barrel of relegation, but also managed a miserable eight goals all campaign.
Reinforcements were essential, and in Sweden’s Alice Bergström, one of the most intense strikers in the game right now, they may have found the firepower needed to end the drought.
It didn’t take long for the Reds to feel the benefits, Bergström looked very dangerous in her debut, creating plenty of chances in a bloodless draw with London City Lionesses. She built on that promise the following week with an electric performance in Liverpool’s 6–0 FA Women’s Cup win over London Bees, coming off the bench to score two sensational goals inside 18 minutes.
In terms of sheer results, she hasn’t replicated those numbers just yet. But make no mistake, Bergström has dazzled every time she has been on the pitch for any decent length of time. She was unlucky to hit the woodwork against Tottenham, scored a brilliant goal in a 3–1 defeat to Manchester United, and impressed against Charlton Athletic in the Women’s FA Cup quarter-finals.
Unfortunately, Bergström has suffered a couple of setbacks, most notably a knee injury following a clash with Chelsea’s Lauren James, which has limited her time on the pitch so far. Still, that’s sometimes the price you pay for aggressive, game-changing football. This is precisely what Bergström brings to the table and what Liverpool need to not only survive, but thrive, in the Barclays Women’s Super League.
Word credit: Ben Gibson
