Leading the notables for Friday is the transfer of Katie Stengel from Gotham FC to WSL debutante Crystal Palace FC. Palace also acquired another NWSL player, Welsh international Lily Woodham, from the Seattle Reign on a short loan.
The Kansas City Current bolstered their goalkeeper depth chart with the signing of Katie Fraine, who had a long career in Sweden following a stint with the Atlanta Beat of the now-defunct Women’s Professional Soccer.
Also, as rumored, former San Diego Wave forward Sofia Jakobsson signed with the London City Lionesses.
Gotham FC: Forward Katie Stengel traded to Crystal Palace
Friday’s most surprising development is the news that forward Katie Stengel is heading back to England on a permanent transfer to Crystal Palace. Stengel’s contract is for two years, so it should expire in June 2026. (Gotham FC press release, Crystal Palace press release)
Crystal Palace is playing their first-ever season in the Women’s Super League after topping the Women’s Championship last season and earning promotion.
Last week, Gotham FC signed forward Cece Kizer following her departure from the Houston Dash.
Seattle Reign: Welsh fullback Lily Woodham loaned to Crystal Palace through January 2025
Crystal Palace also acquired the services of another NWSL player on Friday, receiving the 24-year-old Lily Woodham from the Seattle Reign on loan for the first half of the WSL season. Woodham is a Welsh international who previously captained Reading FC before joining the Reign.
(Reign FC press release, Crystal Palace press release)
Kansas City Current: Goalkeeper Katie Fraine signed for the rest of the season
The Current have reinforced their ‘keeper corps with the signing of former Florida Gator Katie Fraine. (September 13th press release)
Fraine was last with Hibernian FC of the Scottish Women’s Premier League, but spent the prior 10 years in Sweden’s Damallsvenskan, earning over 200 appearances. Fraine, who is 5’10”, was originally drafted by the Washington Freedom in the 2011 WPS draft, but later joined the Atlanta Beat. (Wikipedia bio)
Fraine was a free agent after the 2023-24 SWPL season. (Hibernian press release from May 2024)
Sofia Jakobsson signs with London City Lionesses
As rumored, Jakobsson, who was recently released by the San Diego Wave, has joined the London City Lionesses of the Women’s Championship in England. Her contract is for two seasons, so it should expire in June 2026.
The London City’s press release did have this curiously intriguing quote:
“It was time for me to find another place to play,” said Jakobsson upon inking her two-year contract.
Women's Soccer Express 