We’re back with a roundup of week two of the FAWSL January 2021 transfer window. If you missed out on the biggest deals made during the first week of the window, catch them all here.

Here’s what FAWSL clubs have been up to in the meantime.

 

BIRMINGHAM CITY

Birmingham’s first piece of business saw them sign 23-year-old Veatriki Sarri from Championship side Sheffield United.

Signed. Sealed. Sarri delivered. ✍️ @veatriki_sarri becomes our first signing of ????????????????, joining for an undisclosed fee from Sheffield United.

— Birmingham City Women (@BCFCwomen) January 7, 2021

Sarri has played for Sheffiled United since 2018. When she first joined the club, she was managed by Birmingham’s current manager, Carla Ward. The pair reuniting will mean that Sarri already knows Ward’s preferred management style, and the expectations she has for players.

✊ The Boss on what @veatriki_sarri will bring to the team. pic.twitter.com/yvYnvmKjGU

— Birmingham City Women (@BCFCwomen) January 8, 2021

Birmingham currently sit 7th in the table, with nine points, a massive improvement on last season, where they finished the season in 11th place with seven points, a mere point above Liverpool who were relegated to the Championship.

Defensively, Birmingham are quite solid — they’ve only let in 13 goals this season, which puts them in fifth place for goals against after Chelsea (five), Arsenal (eight), Manchester United (nine), and Manchester City (nine). Despite being ahead of them in the table, both Reading and Everton have conceded more goals, 15 and 20 respectively.

Offensively however, Birmingham have only netted nine goals this season, which puts them in ninth place in terms of goals scored in the league. Sarri coming in gives them an extra offensive player that could turn close games into wins or draws, earning them a few extra points as they look to break into the top half of the fixture.

"I am a creative player. I like to dribble, shoot and score goals. I really want to help this Club achieve bigger and better things."

???????? Hear the first words from our new recruit, @veatriki_sarri!

— Birmingham City Women (@BCFCwomen) January 9, 2021

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

So far, Tottenham Hotspur have made two signings, the first being Alanna Kennedy. Kennedy has already been at Tottenham since August of 2020, having decided to go on loan from the Orlando Pride due to the fact that the team couldn’t play because of COVID-19.

However, in November of 2020, Racing Louisville FC selected Kennedy during the NWSL expansion draft with their sixth overall pick. Because her contract with the NWSL expired in December of 2020, Kennedy was free to sign a permanent deal with Tottenham, making it unclear when, or if, she’ll return to America.

✍️ We are delighted to announce that Alanna Kennedy’s loan has been converted into a permanent transfer. #SpurHerOn ⚪️ #COYS

— Tottenham Hotspur Women (@SpursWomen) January 7, 2021

The second transfer window signing for Tottenham Hotspur was Shelina Zadorsky. Zadorsky’s situation is similar to Kennedy’s — she came to the UK after having not been able to play for Orlando due to COVID-19, and now has also signed a permanent deal with Tottenham.

✍️ We are delighted to announce that defender Shelina Zadorsky’s loan has been converted into a permanent transfer. #SpurHerOn ⚪️ #COYS

— Tottenham Hotspur Women (@SpursWomen) January 7, 2021

Both Kennedy and Zadorsky have been crucial for Tottenham this season. Kennedy has featured in all nine of Tottenham’s league games as a starting defender, and Zadorsky has featured in eight. Both have been bright spots all season, even in the early days when Tottenham were struggling.

As mainstays on their respective national teams (Australia and Canada), Kennedy and Zadorsky bring in a wealth of experience that will continue to be crucial to Tottenham under the new management of Rehanne Skinner, especially after the recent departure of Alex Morgan.

???? @AlannaKennedy ????#SpurHerOn ⚪️ #COYS pic.twitter.com/iSY8esZQPB

— Tottenham Hotspur Women (@SpursWomen) January 7, 2021

WEST HAM UNITED

Tottenham were not the only side with plans to sign permanent deals to their loanee players, with West Ham also confirming that Emily van Egmond signed a permanent contract. A member of Australia’s national team, van Egmond joined Melbourne City on loan when the Orlando Pride were unable to continue with their season, winning two trophies in Australia before joining West Ham on loan.

She's staying! ????????⚒

We are delighted confirm the permanent signing of @Em_surf! ???? pic.twitter.com/o0PTSVxBdx

— West Ham United Women (@westhamwomen) January 8, 2021

In her nine league appearances with the club, she’s scored three goals, becoming a crucial part of West Ham’s midfield. The club signing her on a permanent deal will definitely bolster their hopes that they can improve on their current 10th place. While they are unlikely to be relegated (Bristol City only have two points!), they were very much in the relegation battle at the beginning of the season. Signings like Van Egmond will help them bolster their squad and allow them to be more competitive in following seasons.

"It’s great to stay here. I’m really enjoying my football here at West Ham too, and I’m excited to be working with the new manager."

???? @Em_surf pic.twitter.com/2Fi7ycZd88

— West Ham United Women (@westhamwomen) January 8, 2021

The FAWSL is back this Sunday, with a critical match between Manchester United and Chelsea, the top two teams in the league. The transfer window likewise remains open, so stay tuned for next week’s roundup of the league’s biggest moves.

The NWSL is expanding its footprint across ESPN, with the broadcaster signing on to carry 16 additional regular-season games in both the 2026 and 2027 seasons, upping the platform's total to 33 matches per year.

ESPN will also introduce a season-long "Match of the Week" centerpiece series, as well as live coverage of NWSL Decision Day, when eight concurrent matches will close out the season on the same day. 

"The NWSL showcases some of the best athletes in the world," ESPN EVP of programming and acquisitions Rosalyn Durant said in a press release. "We are proud to increase our commitment on ABC and ESPN, and to further elevate women's sports and the athlete stories."

This media rights extension builds on the league's ongoing blockbuster four-year, $240 million TV deal with ESPN, adding inventory for the final two seasons of the November 2023 agreement.

The deal expansion comes in light of the league's significant growth this season, with the NWSL seeing gains across both attendance and viewership, including a 72% year-over-year ratings rise on ESPN.

"This supplemental agreement underscores the growing demand for women's soccer and ensures our players and clubs receive the visibility they deserve on some of the most prominent sports platforms," said NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman in a statement.

The 2025 WNBA season is over for Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese, but the 23-year-old star is still making headlines, with Reebok set to drop her signature Angel Reese 1 sneakers on Thursday.

The Angel Reese 1 is a cornerstone of Reebok's re-entry into the basketball market, with the sportswear giant engineering the signature shoe for on-court performance by including features like responsive cushioning and added upper support.

Inspired by the brand's classic Mobius line, the shoes will hit the shelves in three colorways — an iridescent white "Diamond Dust," a bold pink "Mebounds," and a black and white "Receipts Ready" — with Reese's personal logo incorporated into the design.

Reese first signed with Reebok as an NIL athlete at LSU in 2023, a little over six months after winning the NCAA championship with the Tigers.

This week's rollout follows the July sneak peek of the signature sneakers worn by Reese on the cover of NBA 2K26's WNBA Edition.

"This isn't just a shoe, it's my style, my story, and my stamp on the game," Reese said in Reebok's press release. "I wanted to design a basketball shoe that elevates performance, innovation, style, and creative expression, all at once."

"Reebok and I built something that's true to who I am, and I hope it pushes others to stand in their power too."

How to buy the Angel Reese 1 Reebok sneakers

All three colorways of the Angel Reese 1 sneakers will be available for a retail price of $120 beginning at 10 AM ET on Thursday at Reebok.com as well as in select stores.

No. 5 New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart isn't letting Sunday's left knee knock take her off the 2025 WNBA Playoffs court, with the forward planning to compete in Game 2 against the No. 4 Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday night.

An emotional Stewart finished Game 1 on the bench, going down with a knee injury in overtime of the Liberty's 76-69 upset win over the Mercury on Sunday.

"What I felt in that moment scared me more than anything," Stewart told reporters on Wednesday morning.

A Monday MRI revealed a sprained MCL, and though the two-time WNBA MVP did not practice on Tuesday, she participated in the team's Wednesday shootaround and said her pain had diminished to a three out of 10.

"[As long as] I don't wake up from my nap and feel like s—t," said Stewart, "I'm willing to take that [chance of re-injury] because I want to be out with my team, and they told me that structurally everything looks OK."

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Even when the game-day status for Stewart was still unknown, New York Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello promised that the defending champions would give their star "as much time as we can."

"We know what's at stake," Brondello told reporters on Tuesday. "We don't want to go back to Phoenix [for Game 3], but they're going to come in hungry."

Stewart echoed that sentiment on Wednesday morning, saying "We want to finish it here. Not having to go back to Phoenix is our main priority."

How to watch the Phoenix Mercury vs. New York Liberty in Game 2

No. 5 New York will look to oust No. 4 Phoenix from the 2025 WNBA Playoffs with a first-round sweep on Wednesday night, when the Liberty host the Mercury for Game 2 at 8 PM ET.

The matchup will air live on ESPN.

Star sprinter Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is reaching new heights, setting a new US record for the 400-meter race in the event's Tuesday semifinals at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

The four-time Olympic gold medalist finished the flat event in 48.29 seconds, shaving more than 0.40 seconds off the previous US record of 48.70 seconds set by track legend Sanya Richards-Ross in 2006.

Both her personal best and the fastest time in the world for that event this year, McLaughlin-Levrone's performance also makes her the seventh-fastest woman of all time in the 400-meter dash — elevating expectations that she could challenge the long-standing world record of 47.60 seconds, set by then-East German sprinter Marita Koch in 1985.

Known for her dominance in the 400-meter hurdles, the 26-year-old made the decision to focus on the flat 400-meter event ahead of this year's competition. 

"I definitely wasn't expecting that time," she said afterwards. "It just shows the fitness is there. I'm excited for the finals and grateful to have taken down a record by an amazing woman."

How to watch McLaughlin-Levrone in the 400-meter final

McLaughlin-Levrone will take aim at the 2025 World Athletics Championships' 400-meter podium — and, perhaps, another record time — during the event's final on Thursday.

The US star will race against 2024 Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino and silver medalist Salwa Eid Naser when the final begins at 9:24 AM ET.

Live coverage will air on USA Network.