There almost certainly won’t be eleven additions to the squad this offseason. However, there are areas of the team that need more depth and competition for places. So here are eleven players who Brighton & Hove Albion women’s team should be looking at adding this summer…
DEFENDERS
Saedis Run Heidarsdottir – LB – Valerenga – 21
Truthfully, elite left-sided defenders are not commonplace in world football at the moment – or should I say the best ones are all already at top clubs – yes Marisa Olislagers included. What Brighton need is strong competition with bags of potential and in that instance look no further than Heidarsdottir. Equally happy in midfield or defence (the perfect potential wing-back in the making), she likes to get forward and use her natural left-foot to create opportunities, but equally has the athleticism and ability to cover at the back when required. Interestingly when I asked AI to rank all 11 players on this list with the criteria of signing for Brighton, she ranked top with 9.5/10.
Jill Janssens – RB – Hoffenheim – 22
In a theme of ‘how have these players not been signed by a top club yet’ we have right-back in name only, Jill Janssens. In truth she is a box-to-box player, just down the right-hand side rather than the traditional central role associated with the term. Seriously, look at her heat map, she’s just as likely to be in one box than the other. In a three centre back scheme though she is an absolutely perfect fit and if Brighton don’t see that, another club will – and soon. Fast, high-pressing, excellent ball-carrying traits – she’s a star in the making. Oh and did I mention at just 22 years old she already has over 50 caps for Belgium? Talk about experience AND youth.
Megan Collett – RB – Southampton – 20 – HG (Homegrown Eligible)
Arguably we need more depth on the left than the right, but I couldn’t leave out probably the fastest rising ‘homegrown’ player in this position. She has a high work-rate and can contribute going forward, as is expected of modern fullbacks, but she is also strong in the tackle and comfortable in possession. With an eye to signing ‘future Lionesses’, Collett makes perfect sense, as she recent played for the England U23’s despite being just 20.
Honourable Mentions: Anna Aehling, Nea Lehtola, Aiara Agirrezabala
MIDFIELDERS
Lia Walti – CM – Juventus – 33
If the club are looking for veteran players with experience of elite culture, look no further than Walti. 180+ games across seven seasons for perennial contenders Arsenal and 125+ caps as the leader of the Switzerland national team. As the fulcrum of a midfield she is still a more than capable player and would be an excellent role model for our younger talent in similar positions.
Ruby Mace – CB/CDM – Everton – 22 – HG
Maybe Brighton missed the boat when she moved from Leicester to Everton, but if the money and the will are there – this needs to happen. Mace and Maisie Symonds could well be the Walsh and Stanway of England in 2-3 years time and bringing them together sooner at club level just makes sense. A tenacious ball-winning midfielder, she may be that missing element of grit and determination that the Albion can lack on occasion.
Olivia McLoughlin – CM – Leicester – 21 – HG
With Leicester dropping to the WSL2 and their long-term commitment in some doubt, this would be the perfect time to swoop in and capture another talent who has played for England at youth level. A versatile midfielder with a pressing style and high work-rate, she’d fit right into a Brighton team with room to develop further. Comparisons to Erin Cuthbert could be a little ambitious, but the fact the suggestion has been made is testament to her potential ability.
Honourable Mentions: Daniela Galic, Emilie Joramo, Anaele Le Moguedec, Kaja Korosec, Lisanne Grawe, Katharina Piljic
FORWARDS
Beth England – ST – Free Agent – 32 – HG
This one feel like a no-brainer. Not only is she still an elite level finisher in the WSL, but she also brings a wealth of experience. Obviously not a signing for the long-term future, but for the next couple of years alongside Fran Kirby, she could be a crucial part of the mentality shift needed for the club to become top of the table contenders.
Holly McNamara – ST – Melbourne City – 23
Someone is going to pull the trigger on McNamara soon – it just remains to be seen who. 14 goals in 20 games this season, and 16 in 22 last, she has recovered excellently from two ACL ruptures that set her back as she rose through the ranks. Played several times under Dario Vidosic at Melbourne City and would have done so more if not for those injuries, could the current Australian international be interesting in seeing a familiar face in the dugout at her next destination?
Shannon O’Brien – ST – Leicester – 24 – HG
Sorry Leicester fans, knock knock, it’s Brighton again. Yes she only scored 5 goals last season, but the Foxes only scored 11 in total, so not a bad rate of return. On a better team you’d have to think she plays with more confidence and hits the back of the net more often. Although not as strong out wide as Kirsty Hanson, their similar traits make her a good comparison and it’s easy to see a 10+ goal return from a player like O’Brien if she lands in the right environment.
Lauren Davidson – RW – Brann – 24
Norwegian league – completed it mate. Scottish winger Lauren Davidson just looks too good at Brann to be playing outside the big leagues any longer. Want proof – in her last season with Glasgow City in 2023/24 she scored 15 goals in 28 games, in her first full season at Brann in 2025 she scored 15 goals in 25 games, and already has 4 goals in 11 games this season. Her Sofascore rating, calculated on metrics not opinions, is one of the highest in Europe at an average of 8.45 per game so it’s very much a when rather than if a WSL club comes a calling.
Justine Rouquet – LW – Montpellier – 19
A classic example of buy now before someone else does, Rouquet is easily one of the most talented youngsters in French football. She can play on either flank or as a striker and loves to get on the ball and run. 9 goals for a Montpellier team who finished 10th in a very top-heavy league is a remarkable feat. The only concern is that one of the big guns, Lyon or PSG, maybe Paris, can persuade her to stay south of the channel.
Honourable Mentions: Clara Mateo, Lucie Calba, Noemie Mouchon, Anastasiya Pobegaylo, Clara Luvanga, Tilda Ratts
Hopefully that has whet the appetite for the summer to come. There’s a good mixture of experience and potential there and several honourable mentions very very nearly made the final XI.
Whatever will be will be as they say and you can rely on SheGulls to be there for all the latest transfer news and reaction.
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