Brighton & Hove Albion Women: WSL preview
Brighton & Hove Albion Women had a rather successful 2024/25 season, finishing fifth place in the Barclays Women’s Super League. The club secured eight wins, four draws, and ten losses, having scored thirty-five goals and conceded forty-one goals.
Under head coach, Dario Vidošić, Brighton is a promising side. Typically, they play a possession-based game, integrating attacking movements through fluidity and direct passing up the field.
In 2018, the club made their WSL debut under former Lionesses’ manager, Hope Powell. Since the Seagulls have placed mid-table and become a consistent side in the top-flight of English football.
Overview of last season
With a top-half finish last season, the Seagulls exceeded expectations.
Statistically, Brighton finished on a negative goal difference of -6 and totalled a +0.43 expected goals v actual goals scored figure. Across the twelve teams in the league, the club ended the season with the sixth most goals scored and the fourth most goals conceded: only four matches resulted in clean sheets.
Throughout the season there were distinct fluctuations in their results: their biggest win being their 4-0 home win v Everton, and their heaviest defeat being Arsenal’s 5-0 home victory. These statistics prove Brighton’s prowess in the WSL, and performances that exceeded the expectations of most.
Despite several top players already in Brighton’s squad, the summer transfer window needed to be executed well for the club, particularly in the defence department. They have the capabilities to challenge for European football in the upcoming season, should they enhance their squad depth and share a strong ambition of a top four finish.
The transfer window
Brighton’s transfer window has had its fair share of ups and downs. Key individuals departed the club, including their top goal scorer from last season, Nikita Parris, former captain Vicky Losada, and Norwegian international Maria Thorisdottir. All three played vital roles in Brighton’s attack last season, growing fears that their attack could be depleted this season.
However, a huge signing in Lionesses’ UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 hero and young superstar, Michelle Agyemang on a season-long loan boosts their hopes significantly. After excelling for the Lionesses at this summer, scoring pivotal goals leading to their second EURO title, she could continue to excel at Brighton with the extension of her loan deal. Agyemang brings pace, passion and strength which fans have grown to admire over the past year.
Fellow Arsenal teammate, Rosa Kafaji also joined the Seagulls on loan. The chemistry between the Swedish international and Michelle could see them combine to become an attacking duo this season.
Another key signing has been Nigeria international and Women’s African Cup Of Nations winning goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie. With Brighton finishing on a negative goal difference last season, Nnadozie hopes to significantly improve this number with her incredible shot stopping technique. She will lead a solid defence to stop some of the most prolific attackers in the league, such as Khadija Bunny Shaw, Alessia Russo, and recently returned Sam Kerr. Between the sticks she is confident and unafraid of tough competition and brave movement.
Their European football dream
New players mean new ambitions. Having negotiated deals with the UEFA Women’s Champions League winners, Arsenal, Brighton are in a good place ahead of the 2025/26 season.
As previously mentioned, the club believe in a top four finish that could lead them to European qualification. With Vidošić at the helm, the squad are well prepared for the tough oppositions in the league, with improvements to their defensive mechanisms and variation in attacks implemented with their summer signings.
Following Losada’s departure, the club named Maisie Symonds the new captain of the women’s side. On the back of her debut senior England call-up earlier in 2025, Symonds is an experienced player who leads on and off the pitch. With her sights set on breaking permanently into Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses’ side, Symonds will influence a positive and driven mentality alongside Vidošić with the aim of securing Champions League qualification at the end of the season.