This week, we will look at some interesting transfers during the winter transfer window in Europe.
European Women's transfer window which closed at the end of January 2022—notable signings
In the latest FIFA transfer window in Europe that closed at the end of January 2022, which traditionally involves the Nordic nations ahead of their season start in March/April, we look at some interesting player moves involving players to and from European clubs.
Israeli international defender Irena Kuznezov (19) moved from Ramat HaSharon at home to Potsdam of Germany during the winter transfer window. She has been capped at the U-17 and full national team level. She played in Cyprus in 2022 with AEL Limassol before returning home to play with Maccabi Kishronot (10-3-5 W-T-L for 33 points, who are currently in second place in the Liga AL Women and tied with Maccabi Emek Hefer who have played one game less), eight points behind Maccabi Kiryat Gat on 12-5-1 for 41 points, with only the top placed club qualifying for next season's UEFA Women's Champions League competition). Kuznezov's most recent club Ramat lies fifth in the ten-team league with a 7-2-8 record for 23 points.
Scottish forward Kathleen McGovern (19), who was with Celtic in Scotland for 11 years, has transferred to Sand in Germany. McGovern, who has been capped at the U-17 and U-19 levels, said about her move, "After 11 years of ups and downs I have took (sic) the decision to leave the club I love. I have made many special memories that I will treasure for life. I would like to thank everyone involved for my time at the club. Now time to focus on myself and my next adventure."
Kathleen McGovern has transferred from her long-time club Celtic of Scotland to Sand of Germany. Photo Courtesy Celtic Star
Slovakian midfielder Dominika Conc (29) left Valencia in Spain to sign with Sampdoria of Italy. Conc played at home, in Denmark with Fortuna Hjorring and then in Spain at Espanyol and Malaga before spending two years with AC Milan in Italy, before moving back to Spain to join Valencia for the 2021-22 season. She has over 50 caps for her country.
Nigerian international defender Onyinyechi Zogg was born in Switzerland, played in 2017 with Monroe Community College in the U.S. and then won a Swiss league title in 2020-21 with Zurich. Zogg played this season with ASJ Soyaux in France (11 appearances) before joining Potsdam in Germany, where she has already played in two games for the third-place side in the Frauen Bundesliga (36 points), which would qualify them for this fall's UEFA Women's Champions League. She was brought into the Nigerian National team by head coach Randy Waldrum and won her first cap last year in a 1-0 defeat against Jamaica in the U.S.
Nigerian international forward Roosa Ariyo (27) moved from Granadilla Tenerife to Real Betis in Spain. She was born in Finland, then played in Sweden and joined Tenerife to start the 2021-22 season, appearing in nine games. She played at Monroe Community College before going onto the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut. She was capped at the U-20 level by Finland. She debuted last season for Nigeria's full national team against the U.S. in a 2-0 defeat.
In mid-January, 2022, Rafaelle Souza (30), who played at the University of Mississippi and one season with the Houston Dash in the NWSL in 2014, has signed with Arsenal in England's Super League. She played for five years with Changehun Zhouye in China and then spent a spell at home with Palmerias. She uniquely played with Brazil in 2015 at both the WWC in Canada and Pan American Games in Toronto later that same summer (the latter being the reason why Toronto did not host any WWC matches). She has 33 caps and is the first Brazilian women to sign with Arsenal. Rafaelle said about her transfer, "I'm so excited. I feel great to be here and to be playing in such a strong and competitive league. I feel like, when I decided to come here, I was looking for a club where I can show my football and show my skills and be in the centre of the world. That's my challenge, to show my football to the world." So far for Arsenal, she has played in six games, scoring one goal for the current WSL leaders, who are two points ahead of second place and defending champions Chelsea (40 points vs. 38 points), but the Blues have played one less game (17 vs. 16).
Arsenal's new Brazilian international signing Rafaelle in early 2022. (Photo courtesy Arsenal WFC).
Brazilian international midfielder Victoria Albuquerque (23) moved from Corinthians of Sao Paolo, Brazil to CFF Madrid of the Primera Iberdrola in Spain and has been capped at the U-20 and at the full national team level.
Defender Tainara De Souza Da Silva (22) has played in five games for Bordeaux in France in her first move abroad after a recent transfer from Palmeiras in Sao Paolo, Brazil. She previously played with Santos in 2020 and before that with Vitoria BA and Sao Francisco; she has been capped at the U-17, U-20 and full levels by Brazil.
Brazilian forward Amanda Gutierres (20) has been at Santos at home for two years and before that with Foz Cataratas in Foz De Iguazu on the Paraguayan border. She has joined Bordeaux in France. Bordeaux currently is sixth in the twelve team first division table with 26 points after 17 games, with only five matches remaining this season.
Brazilian international forward Kerolin Nicoli Israel Ferraz (22) has moved from Madrid CFF to the NWSL's North Carolina Courage in 2022, signing a three-year contract. She played three games for Brazil last month in France in the Tournoi de France against the host nation, the Netherlands and Finland, and had scored five goals in seven previous appearances with Brazil in 2021—she was first called up to the seniors in 2018. She played at the U-17 WWC in 2016 in Jordan and 2018 U-20 WWC in France. A doping suspension kept her out of the 2019 Women's World Cup in France. Courage head coach Sean Nahas said about his new signing, "The addition of Kerolin is one we are really excited about. She is a dynamic player who is extremely dangerous in the final third. She is a technically proficient player who will add a lot to our attacking side of the game. Her recent rise on the international stage, both for national team and club, was something that caught the club's attention. Having the chance to add her to our roster is something we are looking forward to."
Jelena Karlicic (19) is a Montenegro international with 13 caps and has moved from ZFK Breznica at home to Bordeaux in France.
English forward Rinsola Babajide (23), who was born in London (she has scored 10 goals in 45 games playing for Liverpool from 2017-18 thru 2020-21 and then in three games on loan this season for Brighton & Hove Albion) has moved to Real Betis in Spain. The England U-19 and U-20 and U-21 international has one goal in six games with Betis, who sit tied for 9th place with Deportivo Alaves on 27 points in the 16-team top tier.
Anna Aehling is a German defender who moved back home after her sophomore year at Indiana University in the States to play with Eintracht Frankfurt. She competed in the U-17 UEFA European Championship, U-17 FIFA World Cup and U-19 UEFA European Championship.
Another player moving from the U.S. college scene is Slovenian international defender Lana Golob (22), who played for four years and in 60 games (58 starts) with Virginia Commonwealth University. She has joined Napoli in Italy's Serie A and has already played in five games. It is nervous times for the club as three teams are relegated this season and they are currently in tenth with 15 points, with Fiorentina three points above them and in the last safe Serie A spot. She was the A-10 Conference Defender of the Year at VCU. She said about her move, "It's definitely a dream come true. It is something I have been working towards for years and I am just extremely grateful to have this opportunity. It does pay off if you are willing to work for something 100%." From defense, she also scored seven goals with one assist.
Golob grew up in Slovenia and scored a goal against Estonia during Women's World Cup qualifying this cycle. Like others who play for a European national team, the move will put her closer to their national team camps and games without a cross-Atlantic flight from the Americas; she said that she was looking forward to joining Napoli, "Getting back to playing a more European style of soccer, getting my first minutes in Serie A, playing against world class players. Also, of course, learning Italian and getting to eat the Italian cuisine!" Golob credited VCU for helping her prepare to play in a professional league in Europe, "The rigorous fall schedule [about three months for 18-24 games] and the work ethic needed to get through it definitely helped prepare me for the demands of my schedule now in Italy. I learned a lot about nutrition and the importance of recovery and prevention exercises. I became a more complete player, and also from a psychological perspective, I started to believe in myself more, which is crucial."
Australian international Ella Mastrantonio played for Bristol City in 2020-21 and in eight games for Lazio this season, who certainly seem destined for the drop as they stand in 11th place with 7 points. She has moved to Pomigliano as a free agent in early January and has played in four matches. Pomigliano lie tied for seventh with Empoli in the 12-team league (6-1-9 for 19 points) and has a four-point lead over Napoli (10th and in the relegation zone). She has joined up with fellow Australian Aivi Luik (36), who joined this season from Spain's Seville and has one goal from the back in 13 games.
The 29-year-old Mastrantonio spent many years in Australian A-League Women (formerly the W-League), where she played for Perth Glory, Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers, totaling over a century of games. She has been capped seven times by the Matildas. She discussed her move, "My experience in Serie A has been very good, I have been very impressed with the quality and level. I am very honoured to be in Pomigliano, very thankful for the opportunity. It's a great club, I have enjoyed every moment since I've been here and I can't wait to battle for the club for the rest of the season."
Mexican full national team goalkeeper Iztel González, who was born in Tijuana but played collegiately at UC San Diego, moved from Club Tijuana to Seville (currently in eighth place on 29 points in the 16-team division) of the First Iberdrola in Spain on loan on January 25, 2022. She began her career with the Arizona Strikers FC of the WPSL in 2014 in Yuma, after which she joined Club Tijuana 'Xolos'. Gonzalez (27) has played in 129 games with the Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles, primarily as a starter since joining the side for the 2017 Apertura tournament in Liga MX Femenil. She played for Mexico at the 2012 Under-20 World Cup in Japan and was on the side at the CONCACAF Olympic Games Qualifying tournament in the U.S. in early 2020. Gonzalez said about her move, "Arriving at Sevilla is a huge opportunity," and pointed out that she couldn't sleep after hearing of the Spanish side's interest during her two weeks after, noting their strong tradition and fan base.
Mexican international goalkeeper Iztel González (27) has moved on loan from Club Tijuana of Mexico to Sevilla of Spain until the end of the season. Photo courtesy AmericanPost.news.
Colombian international midfielder Giesela Robledo (18) has moved from America de Cali at home to join Grandadilla Tenerife in Spain. She had been loaned for this season to Santa Fe in Colombia, scoring twice in ten games. At America, she was with the side who were runners-up in the Copa Libertadores Femenina in 2021, losing to Brazil's Corinthians 2-0 in the Final. She was also capped at the U-20 and U-17 levels. She has six appearances with Tenerife so far as the club is currently tied for third in the table with (14-4-5 for 46 points) with long-time power Atletico Madrid. Her new club has done well since winning promotion for the 2015-16 season, with two fourth place finishers, but they are having a wonderful season in 2021-22. Three teams from Spain qualify for the UEFA Women's Champions League and they are only seven points behind second place Real Sociedad, the Basque region club. Real Sociedad are themselves having a ground-breaking season—they were promoted to the top flight for the 2006-07 season and have finished as high as fifth only twice, including last season. The Spanish league end of season games will be quite interesting to follow in the weeks to come, with most teams having six games remaining.
Midfielder Melchie Dumornay (18) has long been touted as a future star and started playing internationally for Haiti's U-15 side seven years ago and then was capped at the senior level in 2019. She has moved from AS Tigresses at home to Stade de Reims in France and already has four goals in ten games for her new club. Reims is seventh in the 12-team French first division on 20 points (6-2-9).
Slovakian goalkeeper Maria Korenciova (32) has over 100 caps for her country and played in Germany from 2013 until 2018 at Sand, Neukirch and Freiburg. She was with Milan from 2018 until her recent move to Levante in Spain (currently in seventh on 35 points) and has played eight games so far at her new club. She signed a contract until the end of the 2021-22 season.
The highest profile move of the transfer window had to be Sweden's Olympic Games Silver Medalist forward Stina Blackstenius (26), who moved from BK Hacken in Gothenburg to join Arsenal—she had stayed in Sweden longer than many expected over the past few years. She had a very productive goalscoring period of three years in her other stint abroad, with France's Montpellier in 2016-17 thru 2018-19, scoring 25 goals in 43 matches. She is off to a great start in England with four goals in six matches, including a brace in a 3-0 road win over Brighton and Hove Albion on March 13.
Blackstenius' clubmate at Hacken, defender Beata Kollmats (29), has moved to AS Roma in Italy. She spent over a decade with the club, and though never having been capped at any level, she could be an inspired signing by Roma. The capital city club sits 5 points behind leaders Juventus in second (12-3-2 for 39 points) with five games remaining and have a 1-0 lead over Empoli in the two leg Italian Cup semifinals, with the return leg at the end of next month. Swedish goalkeeper Emma Lind (26) also moved to Roma during the window from Jitex in Sweden's second tier Elitettan. She spent the 2020-21 season in Germany with Turbine Potsdam and has not been capped by Sweden at any level. Another new signing by Roma was Norwegian forward Sophie Roman Haug (22), who moved from Lillestrom at home. She won five league crowns and four cups with Lillestrom since 2015 and she has been a consistent goal scorer. She has been capped extensively at various Norwegian youth levels; this move, if successful, should see her break into the full national team. Norwegian midfielder Emilie Haavi (29) also moved from Lillestrom to Roma. Her only previous time abroad was appearing in seven games with the now defunct Boston Breakers in 2015. At Roma, she has supplied immediate returns with three goals in five games, including a brace in a 5-2 win over Pomigliano on February 5.
Also in Rome, Norwegian international forward Johanne Fridlund (25) moved from Kolbotn to Lazio late in December of 2021.
Danish international forward Rikke Madsen (24) moved from Valerenga in Norway (her club of three seasons) to Madrid CFF in early January and has played 7 matches to date with her new club. Madrid CFF is currently tied for 11th place on 23 points with Villarreal, who have played one match less. A teammate at Valerenga, Norwegian international forward Synne Jensen (26), moved to Spain as well, joining second place side Real Sociedad, where she has one goal in nine games. She played with Wolfsburg's top division and second tier side in Germany in 2015-16 in her only other stint abroad.
Defender Athena Kuehn has moved from Louisiana State University to join Lithuanian
A Lyga powerhouse FC Gintra Universitetas. Kuehn spent one season at LSU, finishing third in the team on points with three goals and three assists, after four seasons at the University of Minnesota. LSU soccer head coach Sian Hudson, a native of Wales, said, "We are so excited for Athena to take the next step in her career and sign a professional contract in Europe. Athena established herself as a top player in the collegiate ranks and was a key performer for us in 2021." She tallied all three of her goals in a four-game stretch early on in the season for the Tigers. Her goals all came in LSU wins against No. 15 South Florida, Arizona, and No. 21 Arizona State in an 11 day stretch that ran from late August into early September. Gintra will be vying for an 18th consecutive league title at home (and 21st overall) and to move into the new Round of 16 Group Stage of the UEFA Women's Champions League—their best finish has been to the old Round of 16 knockout stage in 2014-15 and 2017-18.
