The new club season is nearly upon us, and every new season brings a a new set of line-ups.
With the bulk of the summer transfer business done and dusted, it’s time to take a look as this summers biggest transfer deals. We recently published a corresponding article on the men’s transfers, but this article is dedicated to the women’s game. It’s worth mentioning that there is always a few last minute purchases, but further significant transfers are not expected as this stage.
This page may be updated. Last updated: 23rd August 2023
Spain
Spain is the destination of choice for many of the worlds top female players, and that proved to be the case this summer.
Sant Andreu were the summer's best buyers, bringing in four excellent Spanish players: Elena Ruiz, Nona Perez, Alba Munoz, Paula Crespi. Andreu's sole departure of note was Hannah Shaab, who moved to Barceloneta.
Reigning Spanish and European Champions Sabadell were eager to re-sign World Champion Maartje Keuning, as well as snapping up some of Italy's best young talent, with Sofia Giustini joining David Palma's ranks from SIS Roma.
Sofia Giustini joins Sabadell from SIS Roma.
Mataro continue their quest to knock Sabadell off the summit of Spanish and European water polo, and reinforced the goalkeeping position, with the signing of Laura Aarts and Mariona Terre.
Mediterrani lost three foreigners from their roster this season, with Axelle Crevier, Verica Bakoc and Gabi Palm all returning to their native countries to prepare for the Paris Olympic Games. To cover those spots, Marian Diaz has signed five new players: Hungarian Anna Mandula, young Spanish keeper Elia Jimenez and Dutch World Champion Marit Van der Weijden.
Hungary
Ferencvaros were the best Hungarian team in the league for large sways of the season, but couldn't get the job done in the play-offs. Gyorgy Gerendas has bulked his squad out with three new players. Vanda Valyi returns after a year with Plebiscito Padova, while Alexandra Kiss joins from champions ZF Eger, and Vivien Bonca signs from Szentes.
Vanda Valyi returns to FTC-Telekom after a season in Padova.
As for the Champions themselves, they have brought in some excellent young Hungarian talent. Goalkeeper Luca Torma joins from Gyor, while one of the leagues best scorers last season, Natasa Lendvai, swaps Komjadi for Aladar Bitskey.
UVSE and Dunaujvaros, traditionally Hungarians best two female teams, are relying heavily on their academy's to bolster their squads this season.
Greece
Olympiacos have won the last ten national titles, so the club has made a decision: if it isn't broken, don't fix it. That said, they needed to replace their departing Head Coach, Aleksandar Ciric. Their new man is Dimitris Kravaritis. The only signing of note in the pool is the replacement of long-term goalkeeper Chrysoula Diamantopoulou with Italian goalkeeper Divina Negro.
Vouliagmeni finished a distant second in the Greek League last season, but they'll believe they have made up some ground on their Piraeus rivals, firstly signing their second choice keeper, Chrysoula Diamantopoulou, but also bringing in two Dutch stars, Brigitte Sleeking and Kitty Joustra.
Brigitte Sleeking returns to Greece...but not to Olympiacos.
Like Vouliagmeni, Alimos NAC have opted for brining in two Dutch Olympians - Maud Megens and Ilse Koolhaas in a bid to support their Champions League debut this season.
Ethnikos will feel they could be in the ascendency once again this season, with a superb transfer window. Eirini Ninou, Lena Mihailovic, Sofia Tornarou and Lily Turner will no doubt give the Blue-Whites a big boost.
A few other transfers of note in Greece: Maddie O'Reilly joins Glyfada from Lille, while former Hungarian Olympian Edina Gangl departs Glyfada for PAOK. Yahav Farkash joins the newly promoted Chania.
Italy
All of Italy's Champions League clubs have freshened their squads for the 2023/2024 season.
Italian Champions Ekipe Orizzonte made two major signings; the Setterosa's Chiara Tabani joins from SIS Roma, and Russian International Maria Borisova returns to Italy after a season in Greece with Ethnikos.
Plebiscito Padova have made two shroud signings, bringing Dutch International Maxine Schaap to Padova, alongside Israeli international Alma Yaacobi.
Maxine Schaap joins Plebiscito Padova
SIS Roma have made a big signing in goal, with the signing of Italian National Team goalkeeper Caterina Banchelli. Spaniard Anna Gual returns to SIS Roma after a spell with CN Mataro.
Trieste and Rapallo have made a pair of signings each. Trieste brings Italians Giusy Citino and Sara Cordovani to North East Italy, while Rapallo signed two foreigners - Panna Kudella (III Kerulet) and Ana Milicevic (Brizz Nuoto).
France
Mulhouse WP are grateful for the return of two of their top players from the USA - Juliette D'Halluin and Camille Radosavljevic. Aussie keeper Lilian Hedges joins Dar Menakerman (Terrassa) and Izabella Chiappini (Pinheiros) as brand new signings.
Juliette D'Halluin of Mulhouse and the French National Team
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