The Barclays WSL Departures Confirmed
Following the end of the 2025-26 campaign, a number of players will be moving on to pastures new. Here’s a rundown of the recent announcements...
Following the conclusion of the 2025-26 season, many BWSL clubs have announced their departing players.
Starting with Arsenal, who confirmed that Beth Mead, Katie McCabe, Naomi Williams, Manuela Zinsberger, and Laia Codina will all be moving on. Between the five of them, they have a collective 541 appearances in all competitions for the Gunners, who finished in second place this season.
Aston Villa announced that Sabrina D’Angelo, Gabi Nunes, and Ebony Salmon will be leaving the club upon the expiry of their contracts. However, midfielder Lucy Staniforth will also be leaving the club following her retirement, bringing down the curtain on an established BWSL career.
Chelsea have said farewell to two of their most recognised and greatest ever players to have represented the club, including club captain Millie Bright, Guro Reiten and Sam Kerr. It was also announced that the Sensory Room at Stamford Bridge would be renamed The Bright Room in recognition of the defender's work both on and off the pitch.
Liverpool have also stated that club legend Gemma Bonner will leave the club after becoming the record appearance holder over two spells; she leaves having won the BWSL twice and with 187 appearances under her belt. Also leaving the Reds is Gemma Evans. Evans joined the club in the summer of 2024 from Manchester United; since the move, she has gone on to make 39 appearances for the Merseyside club, scoring twice.
London City Lionesses are also losing a couple of players this summer; they’ve announced that Julia Roddar and Wassa Sangare will be leaving. Roddar has been with the club since 2024 and was part of their BWSL 2-winning side. In the BWSL this season, she has featured in 20 of 22 games. French international Wassa Sangare returns to parent club OL Lyonnes following her 22 appearances and one goal this season.
Champions Manchester City have confirmed the departure of Laura Coombs, as she announced her retirement. The 35 year old brings down an illustrious career with the Citizens and bows out a league champion, with the potential of an Adobe FA Cup too.
On the red side of Manchester, they are bidding farewell to club legend Leah Galton. Galton joined the Red Devils in 2018 and was a member of their inaugural women's team and leaves the club having scored 44 goals in 169 appearances.
Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed several high-profile player departures. Following the expiration of their contracts this summer, Bethany England, Kit Graham, Amy James-Turner, Luana Buhler, Josefine Rybrink and Charli Grant are all leaving the North London outfit, following their highest finish in BWSL history in fifth place.
Finally, West Ham United revealed that captain Katrina Gorry will depart the club. Gorry joined the Hammers in January 2024 and went on to make 52 appearances, scoring three times, becoming an integral part of the midfield at the Chigwell Construction Stadium.
Word credit: Erin-Beau Carroll