Our weekly January transfer roundup is back, and since last week, two clubs have signed significant players that should make an immediate impact on how the rest of the season plays out. If you haven’t, be sure to check out our week one and week two roundups in order to catch up on all the deals made so far.

 

BIRMINGHAM CITY

Birmingham’s second signing of this window is Irish international Ruesha Littlejohn. The 30-year-old striker has signed a contract that’ll keep her at the club until the end of the season.

Welcome to Blues, @RueshaLJ! ????

The Republic of Ireland international joins until the end of the season. ????

— Birmingham City Women (@BCFCwomen) January 16, 2021

Littlejohn has an abundance of experience under her belt, having played in the FAWSL for Arsenal (2010), Liverpool (2011-2012) and West Ham (2019-2020). She’s coming to Birmingham after a season at Leicester City in the FA Women’s Championship.

"I'm delighted, this is a big opportunity for me to come back into the @BarclaysFAWSL."

???????? The first words from our latest recruit, @RueshaLJ. pic.twitter.com/EGeN2ulxas

— Birmingham City Women (@BCFCwomen) January 20, 2021

It’s clear that Birmingham are looking not only to add experience but depth to their squad. The team, who finished last season in 11th, and were almost relegated, are now currently in eighth, a massive jump in improvement over the past year. While they’re more or less safe from the relegation zone, if the club wants to compete with those above them, they need more players for Carla Ward to choose from for her starting XI as well as players who are able to make a difference off the bench.

Welcome to Blues @RueshaLJ in, an experienced individual who will add both quality and depth to the group, look forward to working with you ???? https://t.co/STGLvJh5nM

— Carla Ward (@cwardy7) January 16, 2021

Birmingham are two points behind Tottenham Hotspur in seventh, and four behind Reading in sixth. However, because Birmingham have had quite a few matches postponed, they have played one less game than Tottenham, and three less than Reading. These games in hand could make a huge difference, and if Birmingham can win even a couple of these games, they are suddenly in a position in which they are competing with Everton for a spot in the top half of the table.

Birmingham’s efforts to deepen their squad were likewise bolstered by the acquisition of Emily Murphy on loan from Chelsea. Just 17 years old, Murphy is a promising prospect who gives the club another option at forward this season.

"I'm really excited for my development under Carla."

???? @EmilyMurphy001 spoke to @BluesTV for the first time since joining the Club at the weekend. pic.twitter.com/MdnLteRLAI

— Birmingham City Women (@BCFCwomen) January 19, 2021

Both Littlejohn and Murphy were included in the club’s starting eleven during their 0-0 draw against Brighton Hove & Albion on Sunday, making it clear that they’ll both be expected to make an impact straight away.

Our new signings go straight into the matchday squad! ????

1️⃣2️⃣ x 3️⃣5️⃣ pic.twitter.com/OX1H5SevhH

— Birmingham City Women (@BCFCwomen) January 17, 2021

MANCHESTER CITY

Manchester City have only made one signing so far, but it’s a big one. They announced that USWNT defender Abby Dahlkemper would be joining the club on a contract that runs until 2023, making her the third American to join the team after both Sam Mewis and Rose Lavelle joined back in August of 2020.

This will be Dahlkemper’s first stint in England. Prior to her signing with City, she was a standout defender for the North Carolina Courage. While the Courage retain Dahlkemper’s NWSL rights, it’s a massive loss for the club with which she’s won five trophies.

Hear from our new signing, WORLD CUP WINNER @AbbyDahlkemper and how excited she is for a new challenge at City! ????????????#ManCity pic.twitter.com/eG3KXWuysx

— Manchester City US (@ManCityUS) January 16, 2021

Saying that this is a big coup for Manchester City would be an understatement. Dahlkemper is one of the best defenders in the world, and both her club achievements and her accomplishments with the USWNT (six trophies including the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup) solidify that.

???? Another #FIFAWWC winner joins up at @ManCityWomen ????

???????? Good luck, @AbbyDahlkemper ???? https://t.co/LUQJtzez9b

— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) January 16, 2021

The first Nike Player Edition sneakers designed by WNBA star Caitlin Clark sold out almost immediately on Monday morning, with fans snapping up the limited run of the Fever guard's Kobe 5 Protros within minutes of the 10 AM ET online drop.

Inspired by the Indiana Fever's colors, Clark's high-gloss Kobe shoes come in Midnight Blue with a tongue and additional accents in Bright Crimson, as well as "vibrant hits of University Gold."

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Though Nike did not disclose actual stock numbers, multiple sneaker insiders estimated that Monday's release included just 13,000 pairs of Clark's edition.

Originally on sale for $190 through Nike's website, the Kobe 5 Protro PE is already topping $350 on the resale market.

Clark has been a Nike athlete since inking an NIL deal with the sportswear giant just before her junior NCAA season at the University of Iowa in October 2022, with the WNBA sophomore later signing a reported eight-year, $28 million endorsement contract just after finishing her collegiate career.

That current deal, inked just after the Indiana Fever selected Clark as the 2024 WNBA Draft's overall No. 1 pick, includes the release of a signature shoe.

While Nike still plans to add Clark to its signature shoe roster, the brand appears to be testing the market's waters using the guard's preferred on-court Kobe sneakers — to a sellout success.

How to buy the Caitlin Clark x Nike Kobe 5 Protro PE

Plans looking to pay retail prices for Clark's latest sneaker design will have to wait for Nike to restock, with online resellers like StockX, GOAT, and Flight Club currently selling the shoes at a significant markup.

With the 2025 WNBA All-Star break looming later this month, teams across the league aren't waiting for the August 7th deadline to pull the trigger on trades and waivers, significantly shaking up league rosters.

On Monday, Dallas abruptly traded forward NaLyssa Smith to the Las Vegas Aces in exchange for a 2027 first-round draft pick, surprising Smith and her Wings teammates — including girlfriend DiJonai Carrington.

"Sick to my stomach dawg, never seen this coming," Smith posted to X after the WNBA announced the trades, adding "if I could've chose anywhere to go it would've been Vegas, so hella excited [for] this new opportunity."

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WNBA trades target future prospects

The recent WNBA trades both reflect the depth of options Dallas has in their frontcourt — most recently boosted by the Wings acquiring center Li Yueru from Seattle last month — and indicates the team's early play at a talented WNBA Draft class, with NCAA stars like USC's JuJu Watkins and Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo going pro in 2027.

At the same time, Smith's trade extends Las Vegas's first-round draft drought, with the Aces — who last added a first-round selection in 2022 — currently without an early draft pick until 2028.

As the Las Vegas focuses on leveling up this season, hoping Smith helps boost their current seventh-place league standing, the Aces also added roster cuts to their Monday trade.

Las Vegas handed out waivers to guard Tiffany Mitchell and second-year forward Elizabeth Kitley, who was selected 24th overall by the Aces in the 2024 WNBA Draft despite tearing her ACL at the end of her NCAA career.

Golden State waives 2025 EuroBasket champ Vanloo

Making their own controversial Monday move was 2025 expansion side Golden State, as the Valkyries cut Belgian guard Julie Vanloo shortly after the 2025 EuroBasket champion rushed to return to California, skipping her national team's title-winning celebrations.

"Literally just touched down in the bay," Vanloo wrote on an Instagram story littered with broken heart emojis. "I need some time to process all of this man and put my feels into words. I can't right now."

While Golden State faces backlash for the timing of the cut, waiving Vanloo ultimately opens up a contract for the Valkyries, with rumors swirling that either guard Kaitlyn Chen or forward Laeticia Amihere will earn the roster spot after impressing as replacement players during European absences.

All in all, with WNBA roster space remaining at a premium, teams are making big swings in an effort to shore up their ranks as they push toward the 2025 season's halfway point.

The 2025 WNBA Commissioner's Cup final tips off on Tuesday night, when first-time finalist Indiana will look to upset reigning Cup champs Minnesota in a winner-take-all showdown for both bragging rights and the lion's share of the in-season tournament's prize pool.

With the total purse set at $500,000, athletes on the winning team will earn around $30,000 each — plus an additional $5,000 for the Commissioner's Cup final MVP — while losing players will take home $10,000.

While Tuesday's final won't count toward the regular-season WNBA standings, the battle will be the first meeting between the Lynx and Fever this year, adding first-clash drama to the already-high stakes.

"I think it's going to feel like a playoff game. It's going to be really fun," Lynx star Napheesa Collier told reporters, noting Minnesota's home-court advantage in the matchup. "Our fans show up for us every game, but especially in that environment ... it's going to be electrifying."

Despite the excitement, player availability could tip the scales in Tuesday's outcome, as both Collier and Fever guard Caitlin Clark contend with recent injuries.

While Collier returned from a lingering back issue without missing a beat last weekend, Clark missed Indiana's last two games due to a groin issue and is currently "questionable" to play for the Commissioner's Cup.

"I'm going to be day-to-day," Clark said on Sunday. "Doing everything I can to put myself in position to play the next game. That's always my goal."

How to watch tonight's WNBA Commissioner's Cup final

The Minnesota Lynx and Indiana Fever will take the court for the 2025 WNBA Commissioner's Cup final at 8 PM ET on Tuesday.

Live coverage of the in-season tournament's championship game will air on Prime.

The WNBA dropped its All-Star Game starters list on Monday, with just one rookie earning enough votes to feature on the star-studded 10-player lineup.

In addition to being the lone rookie, Dallas's No. 1 overall draft pick Paige Bueckers will be the only All-Star debutant playing in the game's first minutes, as the Wings guard joins nine previous All-Stars to tip off the July 19th matchup — giving her a presumptive edge in this year's Rookie of the Year race.

Joining Bueckers as WNBA All-Star starters will be team captains Napheesa Collier (Minnesota Lynx) and Caitlin Clark (Indiana Fever), as well as Aliyah Boston (Indiana Fever), Allisha Gray (Atlanta Dream), Sabrina Ionescu (New York Liberty), Nneka Ogwumike (Seattle Storm), Satou Sabally (Phoenix Mercury), Breanna Stewart (New York Liberty), and A'ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces).

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A mix of 50% fan voting, 25% player voting, and 25% media voting determined the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game starting lineup — though the three groups did not necessarily come to a consensus.

For example, players ranked Clark ninth among guards, while the media put her in third. A record-setting 1.29 million fan votes boosted the Fever star into a captain's role.

As for players who fell just short of a starting position, like Indiana guard Kelsey Mitchell and Chicago forward Angel Reese fell just short of starting at their positions, their All-Star dreams aren't over yet.

Head coaches across the league will now vote to select 12 reserve players, likely adding both fan favorites and stat-sheet stars to the July 6th final All-Star player pool, with Collier and Clark building their teams from that list on July 8th.

Though reputation, skill, and popularity all factor into All-Star nods, this year's group is also underlining the depth of the WNBA's talent base.