Manchester City Snap Up USA World Cup Winner | Women’s Weekly Round-Up

Busy week this week in the world of women’s football! Get up to date below with this weeks round up by Josh Bunting! Manchester City snap up USA World Cup winner. Manchester City have announced the signing of American international and World Cup winner Sam Mewis.Mewis has signed a short-term deal after moving from National Women’s Soccer League club North Carolina Courage, who now have no more games scheduled in 2020. In 2016, she won the NWSL Championship with Western New York Flash and at the start of 2017, linked up with North Carolina Courage and secured a further two league titles and three NWSL Shields in three years. The 27-year-old has 67 caps for the USA and was part of the squad who successfully defended the World Cup in France in 2019. She becomes City’s second signing this summer as she follows Chloe Kelly to the Cityzens.  Speaking about her move, she said: “I’m so happy to have everything sorted. The opportunity came along at a really great time – as soon as I heard about the chance of coming to play for Manchester City, I was immediately interested.” “The Club is one of the best in the world and I’ve heard such good things about the women’s side as a whole and the incredible facilities. I’ve followed the men’s team too for a long time.”“This is a really cool, unique and amazing opportunity in my career and I’m so excited to come and see Manchester as a city, be a part of this incredible Club and hopefully help the team achieve their goals.”Head Coach Gareth Taylor said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Sam to Manchester City and we’re thoroughly looking forward to working with her”.“As well as being a World Cup winner, she will bring a wealth of experience and quality to our squad and I’m really pleased that she feels she can fulfil her ambitions with us”. She will also be a fantastic addition to the Barclays FA Women’s Super League as a whole and we can’t wait to see her pull on a blue shirt for the first time.”Head of Women’s Football, Gavin Makel, added: “Bringing Sam to the Club is a huge coup for us.“She is a proven winner, having experienced incredible success with the USWNT last summer and of course at North Carolina Courage over the last few years in the NWSL.“Having seen Sam play up close whilst in the US, she is a highly technical and extremely athletic midfield player who will help the team push on in what is a new era for the Club.” Manchester City start their Women’s Super League campaign away to Aston Villa on Sunday September. Carla Ward appointed new Birmingham City Women’s manager. Birmingham City have announced Carla Ward as their new head coach ahead of the 2020-21 season. Ward led Sheffield United to second place in the Championship last season – their highest finish. But United said in a statement last month that the club and Ward “had parted company” as “both parties have opted to go down a different path”. Blues ended second-bottom in the WSL last season, with the table decided on points per game because of coronavirus. Ward said: “This is a massive opportunity and one I’m looking forward too. Blues is a massive club with a great history. “I’m a people person with a holistic approach that is very much based around the player. “I’m a big believer, particularly in my playing days, if we’ve got the players smiling and confident and buying into what you’ve got to do then you’ve got half a chance.“Straight away it’s about getting the players together and kicking on.” Julia Simic moves to AC Milan. West Ham United Women have confirmed the departure of Julia Simic to Serie A giant’s AC Milan. The German midfielder makes the switch to the Rossoneri after two years in the Women’s Super League with the Hammers. Simic scored three goals in 22 games for Matt Beard’s side after joining them from Freiburg in 2018, but was out of action for over a year because of a persistent knee injury.She played a role in the team’s success on and off the pitch, helping the Hammers reach the 2019 SSE Women’s FA Cup Final against Manchester City and establish themselves in the top- flight of women’s football in England.The midfielder previously played for Germany at the youth level, where she won the UEFA Under 19 Championship in 2007.Speaking about leaving east London she said “First off, I hope you’re all safe and healthy, and have been able to get through the crazy situation the world has found itself in during the last few months.”“It is with a very heavy heart that today West Ham United and I announced that I am joining AC Milan, and I wanted to write a little letter and put everything into my own words”.“It’s especially hard for me to be leaving West Ham because I have never felt so welcomed or integrated into a club before like I did at West Ham.”“Even if I didn’t get the chance to play as much as I would have liked to, because of injuries, I will always remember West Ham as one of the most important parts of my career. That’s down to the fact that I’ve never experienced so much love and support from a club, the coaches, my teammates, or especially from you, the fantastic fans.”” Of course, I would have preferred to have been on the pitch with my teammates, but on those occasions when my injuries didn’t allow that, I always felt okay the moment I reached our stand for the home games. I could feel your positive energy, your support, your love you had for the team and for me. I felt so special and it was amazing to experience that.”“From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank each and every one of you for the incredible journey we’ve been on together over the last two years. I know you will keep supporting the team in the same amazing way and will welcome the new signings in the same way you welcomed me. ”“I always felt very special to be a part of the West Ham United family. I hope I get the chance to see you all again really soon. I know in my heart that I will always be a Hammer. ”Lots of love and Come On You Irons!West Ham begin the 2020-21 campaign with a London derby at Tottenham Hotspur on 6 September. Millie Bright pens new Chelsea contract. England International Millie Bright has signed a new long term contract at Women’s Super League champions Chelsea until 2023. Bright who comes from Killamarsh spent time at Sheffield United in her youth career before moving onto Doncaster Rovers Belles and then subsequently onto Chelsea.Bright has helped the Blues to win doubles in 2015, 2018 and 2020 and before the 2019/20 season was curtailed she started all 15 of the league games scoring once.Bright is the latest Chelsea player to commit her future, after Bethany England, Erin Cuthbert and Guro Reiten recently signed new deals.‘It’s a massive honour for a big club like Chelsea to want you to sign again, for the length that I have. To stay at a club that I absolutely love to bits, the players, the staff, representing the badge, it’s everything that I’ve ever dreamt of and I couldn’t imagine myself being anywhere else.”We’ve got one of the best squads in the league, and the quality from the front to the back is unbelievable. Even in training, you are tested every day. ”“Physically and mentally you’ve got to be switched on every day so each day we are growing as a team, individually we are developing and with still some more room to grow.”Upon Bright extending her stay, general manager Paul Green said: ‘We’re delighted to extend Millie’s contract, she leads by example both on and off the pitch and has played a big part in the team’s success over the years.‘Millie has continued to develop and improve each season and is a very important player for us.‘We feel that she is now coming in to her peak as a player and look forward to seeing how she continues to develop her game and leadership in the upcoming years.”Chelsea will travel to Manchester United on the opening day of the 2020-21 season on Sunday 6 September with the game played behind closed doors.

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Gilly Flaherty wanted Women’s Super League season to endWest Ham United Women’s captain Gilly Flaherty says “Women’s Super League players urged the Football Association to cancel the 2019/20 season”due to fears over their professional futures amid the coronavirus pandemic.”She played all 14 of West Ham’s games in 2019-20, before the season was cut short by the coronavirus pandemic and her side finished eighth.Flaherty moved to the Hammers in the club’s first summer as a professional women’s team, joining from Chelsea and was named the team’s first captain.The centre-back has made 48 appearances in all competitions for the side to date, scoring one goal, and led the team to the Women’s FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium in May 2019Flaherty told Sky Sports News: “I know a lot of fans were unhappy that we didn’t go back and I know they said ‘well, the men have gone back so why haven’t the women gone back?’“What fans don’t realise is that we were having chats. All the captains from the clubs were having zoom calls with the FA to talk about how we felt as players.”“We said if it were maybe a month after lockdown had happened, you could probably get players back, but there were a lot of players out of contract, there were a lot of players who weren’t comfortable after having three months to go back and play two games a week.”“We’re in a different position to the men financially, where potentially if one of us got a serious injury and was at the end of our contract, where do we go then? And there were a lot of people in that position.”“What fans don’t realise is that a lot of the players after four months of being off, weren’t comfortable to go back. And the FA listened to that, the FA could have said ‘listen, you’re going back and you’re playing the games,’ but they didn’t, they listened to the players and they listened to how we felt.”“I think that’s what the FA did incredibly well”.“I feel like they’ve got women’s football in a very good place in this country, you’re talking it’s the number one league in Europe if not the world the way it is, and it’s about protecting that and making sure we do sustain it for the years to come, that five-ten years’ time we’ve still got a fully professional league going.”The Hammers take on Tottenham Hotspur in a London derby to start the season on Sunday September 6 before hosting Arsenal a week later. Blackburn Rovers sign Charlotte Newsham. Blackburn Rovers Ladies have made their second signing in consecutive days as defender Charlotte Newsham has linked up with Gemma Donnelly’s side.Newsham arrives at the club from Manchester United but spent 2019-20 on loan from the Red Devils at National League side Huddersfield Town, playing 13 times and scoring twice, before the season was cut short.She makes her return to Lancashire as she is a Rovers RTC graduate so knows exactly what Donnelly expects from her leading into the new season.She also has won 11 caps for the Scotland Under 19 team and has spent time with Manchester City as well where she won a league and cup double in 2017-18.She made her debut in April 2018, against Italy, and most recently featuring in the UEFA Women’s Under-19s European Championship in July 2019.Speaking about the new addition Donnelly said “Charlotte joins us from United having been out on loan at Huddersfield Town for the majority of last season.”“She is a left-back by trade, but can play in a more attacking role and offers pace and technical ability. ”“Charlotte adds varied experience having played at both Manchester City and United and like Emma Bradley, has been working with full-time professionals.”“She is another player that I’m excited to invite back into the Club and we hope that she will add to the culture we have at Rovers.”On signing for Rovers Newsham added” When I first spoke to Gemma about coming back, obviously I was here as a youngster so I know all about the Club and it’s just great to get back to playing football after lockdown.“Coming back here, I feel like I’ve settled in well with the girls and I just can’t wait to get started.”“I’m looking forward to it, this is where I want to be, where I want to go with football,” she continued. “I think it’s the right time and the right move to develop and this is the right place to do that.”“I left Blackburn and went straight into Development football, which as a youngster is good to develop and learn from better players in the Development squad who are older.”“But now I’ve had four years of development football, it’s time for first-team football in my opinion and I think this is the place to develop more.”Rovers start their new Championship campaign away to Leicester City on Sunday 6 September. Jenna Legg extends Charlton deal. Charlton Athletic Women have announced that Jenna Legg has extended her contract at the Addicks for the 2020-21 season.Legg joined the club last summer from Women’s Super League side Brighton and Hove Albion.Legg made 17 appearances at Brighton, helping the Sussex club to promotion from the then FA Women’s Super League 2 in 2017/18.She began her career with Chelsea, graduating through their youth academy, and played for Oxford United on loan during the 2016 season.The midfielder also has played for the England at under-19 and 21 level playing at the 2015 UEFA Women’s Under-19 Championship in IsraelLegg follows Rachel Newborough, Alice Griffiths, Charley Clifford,Lilli Maple and Grace Coombs in extending her stay at Riteesh Mishra’s side.The 23 year old is ready to go ahead of the new season as she said “I’m very excited to be re-signing for a second year as an Addick – we have a lot of potential as a group of staff and players and I’m looking forward to the season ahead.”Charlton kick off their season with a London derby against Crystal Palace on Sunday, September 6. Alex Brooks joins Rovers Blackburn Rovers Ladies have announced the signing of goalkeeper Alex Brooks following the expiration of her contract at Women’s Super League side Birmingham City.The 25-year-old returns to Rovers almost two-years on from a successful spell with the club in the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division.Brooks came through the ranks at Manchester City, penning a first professional contract there in 2015.She went to Everton on a season-long loan ahead of the 2016 WSL campaign before moving to Fylde.The shotstopper had also played at International level as she was a former England Under-18s captain.Brooks was Donnellys Rovers first choice keeper in 2018-19 season as Gemma Donnelly’s first choice stopper.She will compete with Lauren Perry and fellow new signing Emma Bradley for the number one shirt during the upcoming season.Gemma Donnelly told the Rovers website that she is delighted to be reunited with another former Blue.“Alex has bags of potential and is very experienced having been in a full-time football environment over the last 18 months.”“She has an excellent background having come from Manchester City and rising through the ranks there and we look forward to welcoming her back to Blackburn.”On returning Brooks said “It’s a nice feeling, it’s still the same as when I left, a positive environment, which is what I wanted to come back to,”.“I just wanted to enjoy the game again. It’s a competitive environment here, but also an enjoyable environment, where everyone is working towards the same goal, everyone knows what that goal is and everyone helps each other to get there.”“It’s a real team spirit, that’s what the players and the Club represent. The players that are still here are ones that have been here for quite a few seasons and I’m looking forward to be back playing with them.” ’It’s a really good league to be in, there are challenging aspects,” she added. “Obviously since I left and went to Birmingham, it’s got even better.”” The quality is better, the standard is better, the tempo and everything else, so I’m really excited to get back into it and hopefully get on the pitch. ”” It’s different (in the WSL), there are obviously different aspects. But if anything, it’s made that little bit sharper and given me more knowledge.”“The experiences, whether it was positive or negative, they are all learning curves. So altogether it was a really positive outcome”. Charlton Athletic complete double signing. Charlton Athletic Women have announced the signing of Lewes duo Jess King and Ella Powell ahead of the 2020-21 campaign.Striker King joined Lewes in February 2019 from Norwegian side Kolboten, while Welsh international winger Powell signed for Lewes in June 2019 from NCAA college side Georgia State Panthers.On signing for Charlton, Powell said: “I am super excited to sign for a great club where I believe I will develop and be able to thrive. All of the staff and players have made me feel very welcome and I already feel settled here. I’m excited to continue the hard work and push for a strong season.”Powell progressed through the Cardiff City Ladies youth team, before joining NCAA college team Georgia State Panthers in 2018.The winger made her debut for the Wales national team in the 1–0 friendly defeat against Portugal on 10 November 2018.She made her first start for the senior team in the next match on 13 November.King aged 28, began her career at centre of excellence level with Liverpool, where she progressed into the senior set up, making appearances for their reserve and first teams.She then moved to Canada for University, where she represented Trinity Western Spartans, before returning to Merseyside to join Everton. Since leaving the Toffees, King has played for Seattle-based ISC Gunners, Switzerland’s FC Basel and German side USV Jena.King said she was excited to get the season going, after “lockdown has kept us out of football”. “I’m really excited, as I’m sure everyone is, to get back into the swing of things,” she said on signing.“Charlton has had a lot of success and in recent years been challenging at the top so know what it takes to be there. They have high standards and expectations which is the type of environment I want to be in.”“I want to be scoring a lot more goals than last season”“Charlton has had a lot of success and in recent years been challenging at the top so know what it takes to be there. They have high standards and expectations which is the type of environment I want to be in.”“We have a lot of good players and want us to play to our potential. I want to contribute on and off the pitch to a successful season but more than anything, as most strikers would probably say, I want to contribute with hard work and goals.”Both players could be set to make their competitive debuts against Crystal Palace on Sunday September 6 when the campaign gets underway. Sheffield United make double signing. Sheffield United Women have completed a double signing as Sophie Walton and Nat Johnson have signed for the club.They become the clubs third and fourth signings respectively this summer as Johnson who is a Northern Ireland International joins from Leicester City and Walton from Nottingham Forest.Walton played in the top tier with Lincoln Ladies and Notts County, appearing for the latter in the FA Cup Final against Chelsea at Wembley Stadium and helped Doncaster Rovers Belles to the FA WSL 2 title.Speaking about her move Walton said “I’m over the moon to have got the deal done. It took me a while after having my first child to probably get back to the level I used to be at but I want to play at the highest level I can and I wanted and needed to push myself.“I only heard good things from last season and hopefully we can go one better this season. I know a few of the players. I’ve played with Lea and Kasia and Jade with Doncaster Belles but I like to get involved straight away and get to know people, but it always helps having a few familiar faces.”As for Johnson she made over 100 appearances with the Foxes across two spells at the club.The 26-year-old started her career in Leicester’s Centre of Excellence, going on to spend several seasons in the first team before moving to play and study for four years at college in South Carolina.Johnson returned to the Foxes in 2016 where she remained until this summer, before signing for the Blades ahead of the new campaign.She links up with Northern Ireland International teammate Becky Flaherty at the Blades.Johnson made her senior Northern Ireland debut in March 2019, starting in a 4–0 win over Kazakhstan in the Alanya Gold City Women’s Cup the same match as Flaherty also made her senior bow.She added “I’ve had a really good first few weeks, I’ve really enjoyed it. It’s been so welcoming which has been great and I’m buzzing to be a part of the club.”“For me it was about seeing how competitive the team was last season and what a hard-working, professional group they are and I wanted to be a part of that.”“It’s been so good to have a football back at my feet. The individual training was good because it gave me a soft introduction to the team and it was a bit more focused in small groups but it’s been great to get on the ball now too”.The Blades start their season on Sunday September 6 away at London City Lionesses at Princes Park. Millwall make 12 new signings. Millwall Lionesses have made twelve new signings ahead of the 2020-21 season.The club announced the deals on social media channels on Friday afternoon as Katie Whitmore assembles her new squad for the new campaign.Abbey Dell, Chloe Eastwell, Ellie Jenks Landen, Hannah Jenks Landen, Katie Jeffries, Kira Wells, Lily Davis, Lois Smith, Michaela Hill, Millie Carter, Renai McCrea and Amy Nash have all linked up with the Lionesses.Millwall held recent trails that attracted a big interest to join the squad as they compete in the ERWFL Division One South.Whitmore said, “Firstly, I’d like to express my thanks to all trialists who came to St. Paul’s. Each one of them was a huge credit to themselves, and expressed their abilities in ways they should be very proud of. Although we could not choose everyone, the players who have been picked have incredible potential and talent for their age and I cannot wait to work with them this season.”Assistant Manager and Head of Recruitment, Nick Farrell went on to add “The talent we saw was some of the best I have seen for years, and although the recruitment process was hard work, I am thrilled with the squad that has been assembled. These are exciting times for all connected with Millwall Lionesses, and this squad has the ability to be the solid foundations for us to rebuild and create our new legacy in the Women’s game for many years.”Millwall step up preparations for the new campaign with a behind closed doors friendly fixture with Aylesford on Sunday that should see the new additions feature. Article by Josh Bunting – @Buntingfootball