The best signings of the 2022/23 Women's Super League season - ranked
By Emily Keogh
The transfer signings throughout the 2022/23 Women's Super League season made vital contributions at both ends of the table.
International talent has flocked to the WSL in recent years, with many domestic talents choosing to stay in England to develop their careers while more stellar signings continue to improve the quality of the top flight.
Aston Villa used the summer window to perfection, bolstering a struggling team to climb five places up the league table, while Tottenham and Leicester's positive January business ensured neither slipped into the dreaded relegation spot.
With the new transfer window upon us and a lot movement around the WSL expected, 90min breaks down the best signings of the 2022/23 season.
12. Emma Koivisto
Summer transfer: Brighton to Liverpool
After a year and a half with Brighton, Emma Koivisto was a consistent yet underrated performer and left the Seagulls on a free transfer for Liverpool. She proved a steal for the Reds, becoming incredibly pivotal to the side throughout the season.
The 28-year-old registered the second most goal involvements for the Merseyside team despite lining up in defence, also leading the race for most assists and tackles won for Matt Beard's side.
The Finland international's ability to make an impact at both ends of the pitch has made her an integral addition to Liverpool, and she's only expected to build upon that flying form next campaign.
11. Yui Hasegawa
Summer transfer: West Ham United to Manchester City
Yui Hasegawa stepped into the Manchester side after the Cityzens lost several key players, including Keira Walsh to Barcelona.
Moving from West Ham, Hasegawa transitioned from attacking midfield into a deeper and more defensive role and her stellar vision and passing range has been impressive to say the least.
Her performances were so good they earned the Japan international Manchester City's supporters' player of the season award.
10. Courtney Nevin
January transfer: Hammarby to Leicester (loan)
Leicester found themselves in a less than desirable position in the winter; bottom of the table without a point to their name. Willie Kirk took over in November and had the mammoth task of building the side up in the hopes of remaining in the top flight.
His dealings in the window brought in Courtney Nevin alongside four other signings but the young Australian made an immediate impact, contributing four assists after joining on loan from Swedish side Hammarby, the most of any Leicester player all season.
While she came in with the Foxes in hot water, Nevin played a crucial role in avoiding another Championship season.
9. Jordan Nobbs
January transfer: Arsenal to Aston Villa
A transfer that broke the hearts of Arsenal fans, Jordan Nobbs departed the Gunners after 13 years for the greener pastures of Aston Villa in the hopes of earning minutes and a call-up to England's World Cup squad.
It was a mutually beneficial signing as Aston Villa needed depth in the centre of the pitch, with the 30-year-old bolstering a struggling team.
The transfer paid off as the midfielder earned that call for the 2023 Women's World Cup. Her role in Aston Villa securing a top-five finish will help Nobbs feature in a first major tournament since 2017.
8. Elisabeth Terland
Summer transfer: Brann to Brighton
It was not the easiest start to life in the WSL for Elisabeth Terland given Brighton have operated under four different managers since her introduction in September.
Despite the rocky management in the dugout, the 21-year-old posted seven goals in 16 games, earning the Seagulls some crucial points to avoid slipping further behind in the relegation scrap.
Having played such a crucial role this season, the young Norwegian will only improve when the new campaign commences at the end of September.
7. Kirsty Hanson
Summer transfer: Manchester United to Aston Villa (loan)
In one of the best loan spells of the season, Kirsty Hanson was outstanding, causing all sorts of problems for opposition defences.
The Scotland international posted impressive numbers as one of the most in-form wingers in the WSL with seven goals and nine assists in 18 appearances.
Hanson was integral to Villa's success with both attacking and defensive contribtuins and also played a vital role in their FA Cup campaign.
6. Maya Le Tissier
Summer transfer: Brighton to Manchester United
One of the best centre-halves in the WSL this year, Maya Le Tissier's first season with Manchester United got off to a flying start. Her mature decision-making at just 21 earned her a glowing reputation at Brighton before the move to Manchester.
The young Lioness has played a key role in United's solid defence all season long. She became a consistent starter under Marc Skinner, reading the game incredibly well and fitting into the side seamlessly.
She has translated the qualities she carried throughout her youth career and in former WSL spells with far more at stake. Le Tissier rose to the challenge incredibly well, playing a big role as United secured Champions League qualification.
5. Victoria Pelova
January transfer: Ajax to Arsenal
The January transfer window was paramount for Arsenal after losing both Vivianne Miedema and Beth Mead to ACL injuries before the Christmas break.
Victoria Pelova caught Jonas Eidevall's eye during their Champions League qualifier against the young Dutch international's former club Ajax before the Swede brought the 24-year-old to Arsenal.
Joining a side suffering an injury crisis was one way to start her WSL career. Pelova stepped into a starting role far more quickly than would have been intended but her versatility and talent made her an integral addition.
4. Kenza Dali
Summer transfer: Everton to Aston Villa
Kenza Dali was no stranger to the WSL before signing for Aston Villa but this season can be marked as a shining campaign for the Frenchwoman after joining Carla Ward's side.
A pivotal and fruitful parternship with Rachel Daly took the Villans to new heights, climbing the league table and securing a top five finish. Dali's impressive control, technical ability and physicality dominated midfield battles against even the toughtest of teams.
3. Beth England
January transfer: Chelsea to Tottenham Hotspur
Similarly to Nobbs, Beth England had a tough choice to make; stay at Chelsea where she did not have regular minutes, or move to a struggling Tottenham who were facing a battle to avoid relegation.
Opting with the latter, England made the move across London and it paid off, earning a spot to Sarina Wiegman's World Cup squad.
But it's her impressive stats that make the move all the more remarkable. Scoring 13 goals in 11 games, the number nine had an outstanding end to the campaign and her ability to create chances and find the back of the net saved Spurs from dropping down into the second tier.
2. Janina Leitzig
January transfer: Bayern Munich to Leicester (loan)
Kirk's January business for Leicester included signing a new keeper and Janina Leitzig's arrival on loan from Bayern Munich was pivotal in keeping the Foxes in the top flight.
The German stopper earned regular clean sheets and kept Leicester's spirits high. While her loan spell has come to an end, Kirk is understandably trying to sign the youngster on a permanent deal to keep her between the sticks for the Foxes when they enter another tough WSL campaign.
1. Rachel Daly
Summer transfer: Houston Dash to Aston Villa
Euro 2022 winner, WSL Player of the Season, WSL Golden Boot; the accolades just keep on coming for Rachel Daly who had a truly incredible season on her return to the WSL.
22 goals in 21 games for Aston Villa matched Vivianne's Miedema's record for most strikes in a single WSL season and also secured the Golden Boot, highlighting Daly's importance to a side that had previously struggled to reach the higher positions in the WSL.
The 31-year-old has shown her versatility as spells as both a defender and a midfielder, but this season proved Daly is an out and out striker, strengthening her chances to start for England ahead of the 2023 World Cup.
Daly has gone up another level this season and it's hard to argue that any other player is in better form than the Harrogate-born baller.