Everton Women Move Quickly in Transfer Window
Today at 11:41 AM
Sorensen looking to build on strong final year result
Everton Women have set their sights on building on a strong year end with a busy few January weeks that has seen Brian Sorensen add four new faces to his squad.
The Blues have endured a difficult start to the 2024/25 season, with just two wins in the WSL and a host of injuries to key players.
With difficulties at both ends of the pitch, the Toffees saved their best of 2024 for last to produce an outstanding display at Walton Hall Park to record a first ever league victory over second place Manchester City in their final fixture of the year.
The result leaves Everton in ninth, four points above the drop, but also level on points with Merseyside rivals Liverpool, and Aston Villa after ten games played.
So who are these quartet of new faces charged with helping the Toffees' resurgence and what have they been brought in to do? Let's find out.
Kelly Gago
The former Nantes striker has the unique distinction of becoming the first Everton signing of the Friedkin Group era when she completed a move for an undisclosed fee earlier this month.
A strong and powerful forward, the 26-year-old was being courted by a number of clubs but has chosen life on Merseyside after being attracted by the energy and family-feel of the club.
Starting her professional career in France with Saint-Etienne, the France international moved to Italy in 2022, spending a season with Sampdoria before enjoying a prolific campaign at Parma in 2023/24.
And with her new club having only found the net six times in ten league games, it will be goals that Sorensen will be looking for from Gago.
Martina Fernandez
The Under-23 Spain defender was Sorensen's second signing of the month, arriving on loan from Barcelona for the remainder of the season.
Despite only being 20, Fernandez is a Champions League winner and back-to-back Under-19 European Championships winner, beginning her professional career at Barcelona, and playing for the club's B team, before making her first-team debut in 2022.
A ball-playing centre-half who is perfectly adept at full-back, the Spaniard will provide Sorensen with further options at the back, as well as being another individual comfortable with using the ball as well as winning it.
Emma Watson
Signing number three was Emma Watson, a player who will be battling for a place in arguably Everton's most strongest area, the midfield.
The 18-year-old joins on loan from Manchester United for the remainder of the season, and already has experience of playing and scoring in the Champions League.
The young star will fit well with an environment that prides itself on developing youth, but is already experienced at international level for Scotland, having netted against both Costa Rica and Finland as a 16-year-old in 2023.
Perhaps not as guaranteed a start as both Gago and Fernandez, Watson provides Sorensen with more options and ideas, particularly with her ability of scoring from midfield.
Hayley Ladd
Welsh international Hayley Ladd completes the quartet having also arrived from Manchester United on a permanent deal.
Boasting a wealth of experience at both domestic and international level, Ladd joins for an undisclosed fee and can comfortably operate in both defence and midfield.
Previous clubs include Arsenal, Coventry City, Bristol City, Birmingham City, as well a spell Finland on loan with Kokkola Futis 10.
The versatile campaigner arrived at United in 209, and was named the club's Player of the Season award for 2019/20.
And while the first three signings all have plenty of game time under their belt, the experience of Ladd will be something that attracted Sorensen, as well as her versatility.
Who Next?
Will that be the last of the transfer business for Everton Women this month? Do you feel that Sorensen needs to add more and if so, where?
Let us know in the comments below.
