SWPL January window round-up

By Jessica Elliot

It’s been a busy window in the SWPL

It’s deadline day and a few new faces will be popping up in the Scottish Women’s Premier League shortly. With hours left of the January transfer window, here is a round-up of who will be spending the rest of the season in Scotland.

Carlee Giammona – Glasgow City

Glasgow City welcomed Carlee Giammona to the squad, joining from C.F. Monterrey.

 

Making 10 appearances for the Mexican side this season, Giammona scored twice in the Apertura quarter-finals to secure her side's place in the semis. Capped by the USA at under-18 level, she is a promising addition to City’s squad as they hope to retain the league title.

 

Speaking to club media after putting pen to paper, Giammona said: “I’m super excited to continue the current season with the team and really happy to be part of the club. After doing my research, I found Glasgow City was an amazing club, so it makes a great next step for me.”

Wilma Forsblom – Glasgow City

 

Promising midfielder Wilma Forsblom signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with Leanne Ross’s side ahead of their game against Celtic.

 

Despite only being 20 years old, Forsblom has four seasons of top-flight experience in Finland. Over this time, she has amassed 85 club football appearances, netting 40 times. In 2023, she featured in 22 games, scoring 10 goals and assisting five. She helped KuPS win a treble last year, and the 2003-born player even has experience in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

 

On the international stage, she has been capped by Finland at U17, U19 and U23 level.

 

Forsblom spoke about her arrival, saying: “I’m very excited to join the club. Everyone has been so welcoming. The team have a history of winning and I look forward to hopefully helping to contribute to this.”

Fiona Brown – Glasgow City

 

Scotland international Fiona Brown made her return to Petershill Park this month, signing a deal until the summer of 2026.

 

After winning seven trophies with the club, Brown departed City for Eskilstuna United. After spending the past few years with FC Rosengård, she decided to return to Glasgow.

 

She said: “When I left, I said I’d be back. I think I’ve been Glasgow City’s biggest fan for the last seven years but I’m excited to get back on the pitch with the girls. This club is special and although things feel so familiar, so much has changed for the better in the time that I’ve been away. With all the chance, the club’s values have remained the same and align perfectly with mine. I know what it means to be City and I hope to help the team build on their continued success.”

 

She has already made an impact, scoring an early goal that proved to be decisive in City’s previous match against Celtic.

Natasha Flint – Celtic

 

Striker Natasha Flint returned to Celtic on loan from Liverpool this January. She will be wearing the Hoops until the end of the season.

 

After joining Celtic on deadline day last season on loan from Leicester City, she scored 11 goals for the Glasgow side.

 

She hit the ground running in Scotland and made her name known to the fans, opening the scoring in the historic Scottish Cup final against Rangers at Hampden. In addition to helping the Hoops secure Scottish Cup victory, she scored on two occasions at Celtic Park, both times in front of record crowds.

 

Speaking on her return, Flint said: “It feels great to have returned to the club. I was always looking forward to coming back to Celtic as soon as I heard they were interested. So now I just can’t wait to get going. The memories of the time I had here last season definitely made my decision to come back to Celtic easier.”

 

She made her first appearance this season for Celtic in their narrow 1-0 defeat to Glasgow City. The striker was frozen out of the game by the reigning champions but came close to equalising on a few occasions.

Lisa Rodgers – Celtic

 

Becoming Elena Sadiku’s first Celtic signing, 17-year-old goalkeeper Lisa Rodgers joined the Celts from Hearts on a two-and-a-half-year deal.

 

Being promoted to the first team at the age of 15, Rodgers made her debut in the Edinburgh derby at Tynecastle in 2022. This wouldn’t be the only time she played football in a major stadium, as she made an appearance for Hearts in the final game of the SWPL season at Celtic Park last campaign.

 

In addition to her experience in club football, the talented youngster has represented Scotland at youth level on 16 occasions.

Sophia Martin – Motherwell

 

Youngster Sophia Martin agreed a loan move to Motherwell from Glasgow City. She will play her football at K-Park until the end of the 2023/24 campaign.

 

The Cambuslang-born striker signed her first professional contract mere days after her 16th birthday, becoming the youngest-ever female player to do this. She made 17 appearances for City last season, finding the back of the net three times.

 

The promising forward has also represented Scotland at U15, U16 and U17 level.

 

Motherwell head coach, Paul Brownlie, is excited about the addition to his squad, saying: “Sophia has already had a wealth of experience at this level and this addition will add a new element to our forward line whilst providing the perfect environment to continue her development as a player.”

 

Martin told club media: “It’s a really good opportunity for me and my development. It will be a valuable experience for me in the next six months.”

Olivia McLoughlin - Rangers

 

19-year-old Olivia McLoughlin joined up with the Gers, on loan from Aston Villa until the end of the season.

 

She has had an exciting career up to this point, being named the 19/20 players’ player of the year at Birmingham City and securing a move to Aston Villa the following season. She made her senior debut in the Women’s Super League against Manchester City after being promoted to the Villa first team and signed her first professional contract two days after her 18th birthday.

 

She has represented England at different youth levels on numerous occasions.

 

The midfielder will be looking to help Rangers continue their incredible run of form that sees them sit top of the SWPL table.

 

After arriving in Glasgow, McLoughlin said: “I am really excited, and I am looking forward to spending my time here.”

 

She added: “Jo had a big influence. When I went on loan to Birmingham last season, I had her there and we got on really well, I loved playing under her and her style of play so that was a big reason for me coming here.”

Megan Bell – Hearts

 

Megan Bell makes the move to the capital as she joins Hearts from Rangers on a loan deal until the end of the season.

 

Bell made her senior debut playing in Belfast at 14 years old and spent four years in Northern Ireland before joining Durham. After making 14 appearances for the English Championship side, she secured a move for full-time football at Rangers in 2020 but her career in Glasgow hasn’t taken off due to injuries.

 

She will be hoping to get her career back underway as she looks to help the Jambos secure a top-four finish in the league.

 

Hearts manager Eva Olid spoke to club media about the move, saying: “She is a player we have watched and admired for some time now, so I’m very excited to see what she can bring to us. Everyone knows we want to dominate possession and create opportunities in our games. Megan is a very creative player, who will help us do just that. I very much look forward to working with her.”

Rachael Johnstone – Hearts

 

Rachael Johnstone joins Hearts from Celtic as part of a swap deal between the two clubs.

 

The 19-year-old goalkeeper featured for Celtic in the UEFA Women’s Champions League and has gotten her hands on silverware with the Celts.

 

She has been capped at youth levels for Scotland and also featured in her country’s Pinatar Cup squad in 2022.

 

Speaking to Hearts TV, Johnstone said: “I’m buzzing to be here. It’s been a long time coming so I’m just buzzing to get started now.”

 

She added: “I got in and met a lot of the girls yesterday which was really nice. I know quite a few of them from various Scotland camps, so I’m very much just looking forward to getting started now.”

Jennifer Currie – Aberdeen

 

After the departure of Aberdeen goalkeeper Faye Kirby in September, Aberdeen were in the market for someone between the sticks. Their search came to an end this window with the arrival of Jennifer Currie.

 

Having previously played for Hibernian, the Dons will be hoping that she can find her feet again in the SWPL.

 

Manager Clinton Lancaster said: “She is someone I’ve been interested in for a while now given her previous experience in this league, as well as abroad. She has had a lot of success and I’m sure will bring a wealth of experience to the team.”

 

Lois Edwards – Aberdeen

 

Also joining up with the Aberdeen squad is defender Lois Edwards, who joins from Watford.

 

Making her debut for the English Championship outfit in 2022, she suffered a knee injury that saw her sidelined for 13 months. After completing her rehabilitation, she looks to get back on track with a move to the SWPL.

 

Lancaster said: “Lois has experience playing for a variety of clubs in England. She’s a fantastic defender who can play within a back 3 or 4 but she’s also a strong character and someone I believe will fit in well with our group.”

 

Keeley Banfield – Aberdeen

 

Keeley Banfield joins Aberdeen from Bridgwater United and is a player with a lot of potential.

 

The talented footballer welcomed the move as it allows her to start her full-time footballing career, and she will be hoping to make her mark on the squad.

 

Lancaster said: “Keeley is a fantastic defensive player who has excellent technical ability and despite her young age has captained her club down in England. She has a great work rate and is someone who will be a welcome addition to our midfield.”

 

This has certainly been an exciting window for the SWPL, and it makes you excited for what’s to come in the summer. The new signings will bolster the league as youngsters look to hit the ground running, with others making a return to Scotland hoping to find their feet.

 

The second half of the season is well underway, but only one team can come out on top.

SportJessica Elliott