Brighton Women's 'Mega Summer Signings': Unveiling the Remarkable Acquisitions of Pauline Bremer, Vicky Losada, and More!
Brighton Women's impressive summer signings include Pauline Bremer, Vicky Losada, and more They have also secured talented goalkeeper Nicky Evrard on loan from Chelsea, as well as Sophie Baggaley and Maria Thorisdottir from Man Utd After a turbulent 2022/23 season, they're ready to make a mark in the WSL Don't miss the action, follow the exciting WSL season on Sky Sports from October 1!
Brighton has experienced a significant transformation this summer. Despite several clubs making numerous high-quality signings, it is the Seagulls who have made the most emphatic statement about their ambition to challenge the elite teams in the WSL this season, thanks to their new arrivals.
During pre-season interviews with manager Melissa Phillips and a group of players, it became evident that this marks the beginning of an exciting project at the club, aiming to rebuild after a challenging 2022/23 season.
With two consecutive mid-table finishes and the leadership of the experienced Hope Powell, there was optimism that the Seagulls would have another successful season - or perhaps even surpass expectations.
However, the main obstacle seemed to lie in Maya Le Tissier's departure to Manchester United during the summer. The absence of a suitable replacement for one of the league's brightest young defenders was clearly problematic.
Goals were not a major issue - they scored a total of 26 times, which ranked eighth in the league. However, their defense was a significant problem. It was a devastating 8-0 loss to Tottenham that resulted in Powell being relieved of her managerial duties after five years with the club.
Amy Merricks served as interim manager twice, with Jens Scheuer occupying the managerial role for a brief 65-day period in between. Scheuer oversaw six matches, three of which ended in defeat in the WSL. There were reports suggesting that his direct and assertive managerial style raised concerns within the club.
Brighton seems to have regained stability under the leadership of Phillips, the former manager of London City Lionesses. Despite a loss in their final game against Leicester, they managed to secure two wins and a draw in their last seven league matches, ultimately finishing 11th, surpassing Reading. Additionally, Brighton showcased their competitive edge by reaching the semi-finals of the FA Cup, but unfortunately, they were defeated 3-2 in a thrilling match against Manchester United, marking Phillips' inaugural game at the helm.
Brighton's squad underwent a necessary overhaul this summer, bidding farewell to several key players such as captain Victoria Williams, Danielle Carter, and Kayleigh Green. In total, 13 players departed the club, including three on loan. However, the arrival of 11 new players, brimming with international experience and quality, exemplifies the ambitious vision of Brighton and Phillips.
Brighton has a strong foundation for success, according to the Seagulls manager who spoke to We.
The club's ambitions have been clearly demonstrated this summer as we have successfully recruited top-quality players and revitalized the squad.
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Brighton reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup last season, despite their difficulties in the league.
We have successfully completed our pre-season, with players returning from the World Cup and new signings joining the team. However, our main focus now is on integrating, communicating, and establishing a strong team identity as quickly as possible. We are aware that we will continue to improve throughout the season, but our pre-season has been immensely enjoyable. It all started in mid-June with the exciting addition of Pauline Bremer, who was signed from Wolfsburg, the previous season's Champions League runners-up.
The midfielder would be a valuable addition to numerous teams, particularly to a side that ranked second-to-last in the WSL just four months ago. Bremer has an impressive track record as a multi-trophy winner, having secured league and European titles during her time at Lyon, and also winning the League and FA Cup while playing for Manchester City.
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Bremer was attracted to Brighton by the ongoing project at the club, which has resulted in a diverse squad representing various nationalities.
"It feels fantastic. I'm absolutely loving it," she shared with We News. "Pre-season has been incredible, enjoying the beach and also putting in the hard work with the team. I can't wait to kick off."
We have set ambitious goals. I am thrilled about the project and the prospect of building a highly successful team here. Though we are aware that it will take some time, our enthusiasm remains unwavering.
Currently, we have a remarkable blend of 13 diverse cultures, making our team truly international. This adds a fascinating aspect and the diversity itself is a valuable asset that we leverage effectively. It has been a busy yet fulfilling process of acquiring talented players and working together to construct a formidable team.
"Having observed the challenges of the previous season from afar, I am now present with a team that is fueled by an insatiable desire for improvement and a determination to ascend the rankings. I firmly believe that we possess all the necessary ingredients to achieve our goal of finishing in the top half. The key lies in executing strategies with precision and dedicating ourselves diligently towards triumph in the upcoming season."
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Bremer's arrival showcased Brighton's ambition, and their subsequent signing further solidified it. Vicky Losada, a renowned figure associated with Barcelona, has successfully challenged the dominance of French and German teams in European football. Graduating from the prestigious La Masia academy, she had the privilege of representing the Liga F champions on three occasions. Losada's illustrious career includes clinching 15 significant titles, notably securing Barcelona's inaugural Champions League victory in 2021.
In fact, she has earned trophies at nearly every club she has played for, including Arsenal, Manchester City, and most recently, Roma. A player of her caliber would have numerous options to choose from, yet she expressed her interest in the Brighton project, much like Bremer did. She mentioned in an interview with the club's official website, "I believe women's football is progressing, and Brighton has an excellent project that aims to improve every day."
"The fact that Mel Phillips wanted me is a massive thing, and I feel I can bring a lot of experience to the squad and help the young players.
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I am highly competitive and dedicated to my work. My priority lies with the team, and I consistently prioritize the team over individual players. This is crucial in order to establish a positive environment and achieve success in the long run.
In my opinion, experience holds immense significance, especially when working with young players. I acknowledge the presence of other seasoned players within the squad, and I believe that the collaboration of both experienced and young players is ideal for fostering excellence.
Goalkeeper Nicky Evrard, who is Belgium's No 1 and played a crucial role for her country in reaching the Euro 2022 quarter-finals, has been signed on loan from Chelsea for the season. Another addition to the team is Sophie Baggaley, a fellow stopper who previously played for Manchester United, joining her former teammate, defender Maria Thorisdottir from United, on the south coast. Thorisdottir brings with her a wealth of first team and international experience representing Norway.
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Privacy Options can be opened. However, it is not surprising that Brighton has been able to acquire such talented individuals. The recruitment for the men's side has been exceptional in the Premier League for many years, and this excellence is now being demonstrated in the women's team as well. It clearly indicates the high value the club places on Phillips and her squad.
What is the Brighton project that has gained strong support from the club through multiple high-quality signings? Ultimately, its primary goal is to enhance their league performance from last season and establish themselves as strong competitors among the WSL's top teams.
Starting with the players available to you, Phillips also shared her perspective on her summer recruitment drive. "It's about identifying the right individuals and determining what that means, how do you define it?" she explained to We magazine.
"We communicated our vision to both the club and the players we pursued. Our ultimate aim was to ensure that those we brought on board aligned with the club's ambition and values, and possessed the willingness to challenge themselves and foster personal growth. Consequently, we believe we have successfully assembled individuals of exceptional character, outstanding leadership qualities, and genuine compassion, above all.
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Melissa Phillips is preparing for her first full season as Brighton manager with an impressive summer of incomings
The technical qualities, talent, and athleticism all contributed to our success. We are extremely pleased with the players we have acquired.
What makes our new signings exciting is that, even though they are technically new, they have seamlessly integrated into the team. They share similar mindset and goals, which has made the experience enjoyable for all of us.
It is crucial for us to strive for a position in the top half of the table, which requires maintaining consistency in our performances and staying competitive. The upcoming season, starting on October 1 with Brighton's match against Everton, will determine the validity of these ambitions.
Phillips went head-to-head with Brian Sorensen's squad on two occasions during her relatively brief time near the conclusion of the previous season. In the initial encounter against the Toffees, she emerged victorious with a 3-2 scoreline. However, her fortunes took a downturn in the subsequent fixture in May, resulting in a narrow 2-1 defeat.
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Brighton beat Everton in Melissa Phillip's first WSL game in charge, and face them again on the opening weekend
Looking back at those matches, the manager of the Seagulls stated that they were both highly competitive and closely contested, with the outcomes being determined in the final moments. We anticipate a great deal of skill and proficiency from them in terms of ball possession, just as they demonstrated last year.
As the first game of the WSL, there is bound to be a lot of excitement and energy, so our focus will be on maintaining momentum and making our mark on the game.
The true test of the rejuvenated Brighton squad's potential lies in their back-to-back matches against last season's top four teams, scheduled between October and November. Fans are not only expecting standout performances from their new stars but also hoping for victories against these formidable opponents in a highly competitive league.
What is certain is that there is an abundance of optimism and determination at Brighton as they embark on a new season. It represents a clean slate for the Seagulls, who are fully equipped with the necessary resources, thanks to Phillips, to ensure a successful campaign.
How to follow the WSL on Sky Sports
Stay updated with the latest news, features, and interviews of the Women's Super League on SkySports.com and our app. Enjoy exclusive live blog coverage, in-game clips, and interviews from games broadcasted on We.Catch free match highlights from every WSL game this season on We's digital platforms and YouTube channel. Don't miss any action as all matches will continue to be shown on We Football. Additionally, you can watch them on Sky Showcase, which is accessible in all Sky homes, even without a We package. This ensures increased visibility for the competition.
In addition to promoting the league on all of We's main social media platforms, @SkySportsWSL, the dedicated Twitter channel, will remain the go-to destination for all Barclays FA WSL content on We.
Through the We WSL TikTok account, fans will have access to comprehensive coverage of the league, providing them with exclusive insights into their new favorite players. Through entertaining challenges, interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage, viewers will have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the diverse personalities of WSL and gain a fresh perspective on the sport.
Meanwhile, fans can also keep up to date with everything on and off the pitch with the return of Three Players and a Podcast, hosted by Caroline Barker.
