Scottish Women's Football

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Hearts have completed the signing of goalkeeper Emma Thomson from Spartans on a deal until the summer of 2027.

The 17-year-old began her career at Hamilton Accies during which time she picked up her first SWPL Player of the Month trophy before making the switch to Spartans.

During her time at Ainslie Park, Thomson featured nine times for Jack Beesley's side and has also been capped for Scotland at both under-16 and under-17 level.

"We're really pleased to bring Emma in," manager Eva Olid told club media.

"She's a young goalkeeper with good experience already, and we see a lot of potential in her.

"This is a chance for her to keep learning and developing in a full-time environment, and we're looking forward to helping her take the next steps."

"I'm delighted," Thomson said of the move.

"It's a big step in my career, a dream come true really so I'm looking forward to next season.

"It's the opportunity of a lifetime and one I'll grab with both hands. It's been a long off-season but I'm really excited to meet everyone."

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Partick Thistle have signed Scotland's most-capped outfield international Jo Love upon her release from Glasgow City.

Midfielder Love, 39, won 21 major honours during her 14-year stay at City, including 11 SWPL titles and was made captain in 2021.

She represented Scotland 191 times and was part of the squad's who reached Euro 2017 and the 2019 World Cup.

Thistle manager David Elliot said her signature is "a real coup" for the club.

"You just have to look at what she has achieved at both club and international level to see how big a signing this is for the club," he said.

"She has been there and done it and will be massive both on the pitch and in the dressing room in helping the younger players of the squad who are aiming to follow in her footsteps at the top of the Scottish game."

Thistle also added defender Addie Handley and forward Lia Tweedie earlier in the day.

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI Journalist

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Northern Ireland international Keri Halliday has joined SWPL side Hearts from Women's Premiership outfit Linfield on a two-year deal.

The 20-year-old, who can play as an attacking midfielder or on the wing, has won 13 Northern Ireland caps since making her debut against Albania in 2023.

Halliday came through at Linfield and scored 53 times in 85 matches for the Blues.

She was also named Northern Ireland's Young Player of the Year in 2024.

"We're really pleased to bring Keri in. She's a direct, positive player who always looks to make things happen in the final third," said Hearts manager Eva Olid.

"She's confident on the ball, not afraid to take on defenders, and has a real instinct for finding space in and around the box.

"Although she's still young, she's already shown she can handle the demands of senior football, and we believe our environment will really help her develop further.

"Keri fits the kind of profile we're looking to invest in — players with ability, work rate, and the right attitude to grow with us."

Halliday joins fellow Northern Ireland internationals Joely Andrews and Lauren Wade at Hearts, while striker Kerry Beattie has left the Jambos to join Aberdeen on a permanent deal.

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Champions Hibernian have signed Tiree Burchill on a one-year deal after her exit from fellow SWPL side Partick Thistle.

Scotland Under-23 international Burchill, a league winner with Celtic, scored nine goals for Thistle last season, including the goal of the year, and "can't wait" to return to full-time football.

"I'm so happy to be back in full-time football," the 20-year-old said. "I spent about four years here when I was younger in the academy.

"I think it's a great place for young players like myself to develop. Seeing the team's success last season, it was a no-brainer to come here."

Head coach Grant Scott said the club's "environment" will benefit the youngster.

"She is an exciting forward we have tracked for a couple of seasons," he said. "I think our environment will really help towards her development."

Across the city, Hearts have signed goalkeeper Carolina Vilao on a two-year deal from A-League side Wellington Phoenix.

The 24-year-old is Eva Olid's third signing of the season and the manager is adamant she will bring "a different dimension".

"Carolina is a goalkeeper with a really unique profile, and that's exactly what we were looking for," said Olid.

"She's calm, confident with the ball at her feet, brings a different dimension to how we want to play and we feel she's a great fit for the team and the direction we're going in."

Forward Kodie Hay has returned to Motherwell following the expiry of her contract at Partick Thistle.

The 27-year-old spent three seasons with Well before making 72 appearances for Thistle.

Head coach Paul Brownlie says she will add "creativity" to the squad.

Daldeep Kaur
BBC Sport Scotland

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Goalkeeper Kelsey Daugherty, defender Celya Barclais, and forward Abi Harrison will leave Celtic after the expiry of their contracts.

Daugherty joined Celtic in 2023 and kept 32 clean sheets in 68 appearances, while Barclais was voted players' player of the year for the 2024-25 season.

Celtic academy graduate Harrison re-joined Celtic in January 2025, making 14 appearances and scoring three goals.

Meanwhile, striker Carly Johns has joined Hearts on a two-year deal.

The 22-year-old becomes Eva Olid's second summer signing, and the Hearts manager said: "We're really happy to have [Johns] at Hearts. She's got great quality, a strong work ethic, and brings a really good attitude to everything she does."

Midfielder Amy Bulloch has joined Motherwell from Partick Thistle to become manager Paul Brownlee's first signing of the window.

"I was really attracted to the club as they performed to a really high standard last season," Bulloch said. "Achieving a top-six finish and a place at Hampden, I want to be a part of that again this season."

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Hearts have signed "intelligent" SWPL winner Mairead Fulton on a two-year deal after the midfielder left Glasgow City at the end of the season.

Fulton, 30, won two league titles with City as well as appearing in the Champions League for the Petershill Park club during her five-year stint at the club.

"Mairead is someone I've admired for a long time," manager Eva Olid said. "I'm really happy to bring her to Hearts.

"She has a huge amount of experience and has consistently shown her quality at the top level in Scotland.

"We were looking for a player with her intelligence, calmness, and control - and she fits that perfectly.

"She's won trophies, played in big games, and brings a mentality that will help the whole group."

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Scotland should take a "long, hard look at ourselves" for failing to reach this summer's Women's Euro 2025, says former goalkeeper Gemma Fay.

Fay, Scotland's most capped player with 203 appearances, says the nation simply "must have aspirations" of getting back to major tournaments after failing to qualify in their previous three attempts.

Since reaching the 2019 World Cup, the Scots have missed out on back-to-back European Championships and the 2023 World Cup.

Asked on BBC Sportsound how Scotland take that next step, Fay responded: "We have to. We have to have the aspirations if that's where we want to be.

"We should be at these finals, and the ones before, and we should take a long, hard look at ourselves as to why we're not."

Now led by head coach Melissa Andreatta, Fay has been encouraged by the new boss' start after being appointed in April.

A narrow home defeat to Austria consigned the Scots to Nations League A relegation, but a draw away to the Netherlands prompted praise.

"It was good performance against the Netherlands," Fay added. "I like [Andreatta's] style. It goes back to that mentality. We always have pride in how we fight.

"I like the initial things I've seen from her, but the challenge she has is now is how she gets the quality of opposition for this team to be able to compete against [Nations League] A teams."

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Glasgow City have signed "versatile defender" Emma Brownlie from SWPL side Hearts on a two-year deal.

The 31-year-old, who is comfortable at full-back or in the centre of defence, started her career at Hibernian and went on to play for Celtic and Rangers, as well Everton in the WSL.

She captained Hearts at Hampden in the 2024 Scottish Cup final and was the first player to sign a professional contract with the Jambos.

Head coach Leanne Ross believes Brownlie's "leadership skills and competitive nature will be invaluable" to City.

"I am delighted to add a player of Emma's ability and experience to our squad," Ross told club media.

"A versatile defender who can play full back or centre back, Emma will not only add a physical presence to our backline, but her leadership skills and competitive nature will be invaluable to the team.

"Her composure in possession, range of passing and ability to carry the ball forward also fit perfectly with our style of play."

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Hibernian have signed "one of Scotland's top young talents" in Hannah Jordan, says head coach Grant Scott.

Forward Jordan, 20, has been a bright spark for Spartans since her breakthrough campaign three seasons ago, and after netting 13 league goals last term for the relegated side, has been rewarded with a one-year deal with the SWPL champions.

The Rangers academy product believes Hibs is "the perfect place to thrive".

"To have another one of Scotland's top young talents decide to join Hibs to further their development is fantastic," head coach Scott told club media.

"After a decent goal scoring season in a team that had a tough campaign last season, we think she can kick-on and add to our attacking options."

Jordan, a recent Scotland under-23 cap, said Scott "sold" the move across the city to her.

"I am looking to make the next step in my career and I think this is the perfect place for me to thrive in a full-time environment," she added.

"Grant sold the move to me well. Seeing what the team did last season, winning the league, this is something that I wanted to be a part of."

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Defender Caley Gibb has signed a one-year contract with Hibernian after a successful loan spell with the SWPL champions last term.

Gibb made 10 appearances during her stint on loan from Partick Thistle in the second half of last season, playing a role in Hibs' histortic title triumph.

"It feels amazing to be here. To be here playing full-time is something I've always wanted to do. I'm delighted," said Gibb.

"These past few months have been incredible. It's something I've dreamed of since I was a wee girl. I'm definitely still living the dream and I'm looking forward to representing the club again."

The 21-year-old becomes Grant Scott's first signing ahead of the 2025-26 season.

The Hibs boss praised the "exciting prospect" and added: "We are delighted to secure Caley's signature after last season's successful loan spell.

"She really stepped up after arriving and put in top performances post-split to help us win the league.

"Caley is also a young, exciting prospect that we are pleased to bring back to the club on a full-time basis, and I am very much looking forward to seeing her develop further here."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Hamilton Academical WFC have no plans to change their name or branding, as they believe an existing agreement remains valid.

The men's and the women's clubs are not legally affiliated and run financially independently.

The women's side received consent to use the same name and badge as the men's side from the previous men's club board.

However, earlier this month, they were contacted by the current club's board and ordered to change their name and stop using the club badge.

The board, who took control of the men's club two years ago, said they had plans to start a new women's club and academy. BBC Scotland understands that no such formal application has as yet been made to the SWF, required for such a move.

A source close to the women's side has told BBC Scotland that the old board of directors fully support their stance and are adamant they should not be making any changes.

The source also told us that the women's club put in over £100,000 into Hamilton Academical as part of their working partnership for over a decade and the old board recognise that fully.

Much of this money came from the hiring of New Douglas Park, where the women's side will continue playing.

Hamilton Accies WFC have had no further contact from the men's club's board of directors since that request over a name change was made.

The women's side won the SWPL 2 title last season, bouncing straight back up to the top flight after relegation in 2024.

BBC Scotland has contacted the club's current board for comment.

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Hearts have confirmed that Northern Ireland international Kerry Beattie has left the club, while defender Jess Broadrick has re-joined Aberdeen.

Beattie and Broadrick spent the second half of the 2024-25 season on loan at Balmoral, with the latter now re-signing for the club she broke through at.

The Dons have already confirmed the loan signing of Australian full-back Emma Ilijoski, who joins from Hearts on another temporary spell.

Elsewhere, Hamilton Accies have signed Sarah Gibb from Lanarkshire rivals Motherwell, as well as former Celtic midfielder Lucy Barclay after her departure from Parkhead. She is a recent Scotland under-19 international.

Gibb was one of four players released by Motherwell, including Emily Mutch, Rachel Todd and Eve Donald. Goalkeeper Mutch recently picked up two Scotland under-23 caps in friendlies against Iceland.

Finally, Partick Thistle midfielder Lucy Sinclair has undergone surgery on an injured ACL. The 22-year-old will miss a large chunk of next season.

Daldeep Kaur
BBC Sport Scotland

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Midfielder Ellis Notley insists it will take "a full squad effort" if Hibernian are to progress in the Women's Champions League.

The SWPL champions will face Danish champions Fortuna Hjorring in the second round of qualifying, with Apollon or Young Boys waiting in the next tie.

Notley, 26, admits it will be a tough challenge for Grant Scott's side, but she is adamant they will be "competitive" at the top level if they manage to get "the very best" out of each other.

"We as a club and as a team are excited," she said.

"From the 18s, the women's team and the men's team, we're all in playing European football, so that's obviously a fantastic achievement for all involved.

"We know it's going to be tough, playing the best of the best teams in Europe will be challenging, but we'll be prepared as a group to go and be competitive and see where it takes us.

"There are going to be a lot of games, but you see it in the men's game, the best teams are playing a high volume of games and that's where you want to be, you want to be competing as much as you can.

"For us as a squad, it'll be about managing players, managing the team, utilising the full squad so we can get the very best out of every individual, but most importantly get performances and results on the pitch."

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Hearts, who finished fifth last term, will face the four teams who filled the spots above them within their first six SWPL games next season.

Eva Olid's side face both sides of the Old Firm in the opening two weeks, kicking off their campaign at home to Celtic before a trip to take on Rangers.

The Jambos did beat Elena Sadiku's side in both home league games last season, including a statement 3-1 win in the first post-split game, while they dealt a decisive blow to Rangers' title charge on the final day of the pre-split campaign at Broadwood, by holding Jo Potter's side to a 2-2 draw.

Facing the pair at the start of the season, when neither have the distraction of European football, is very different, though.

The other two, who finished first and second last season - Hibernian and Glasgow City, of course - will have that one eye on the continent, however.

By the time reigning champions Hibs make the short trip across the city, they will have already faced Fortuna Hjorring and one of Apollon/Young Boys in their second round of Women's Champions League qualifying.

It's worth noting Hearts had a strong record against the eventual title-winners last season - two wins and two losses in the SWPL, plus a win in the Scottish Cup.

But they were defeated in both league games at Oriam, where the first meeting next season will take place.

The same rule can be applied for meetings with City. Hearts didn't pick up a positive result at Petershill Park last term but held Leanne Ross' side to a couple of stalemates in Edinburgh.

Daldeep Kaur
BBC Sport Scotland

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Ellis Notley says it has been a "whirlwind" month since Hibernian lifted their first SWPL title in 18 years, but the midfielder says the champions will be prepared to retain their status.

Hibs welcome Aberdeen on the opening day of the 2025-26 season, and 26-year-old Notley insists the team can replicate last term's success.

"It took a good few weeks to properly settle in, what we as a group had achieved, it probably still doesn't feel 100% real going into pre-season next week," Notley told BBC Scotland.

"It's been a whirlwind last month or so with getting recognition when you're out and about. The group needed to rest, recharge, recover and come back next week ready to go again.

"The last two days for us as a club and a team have been exciting. You always look to the first game and it's nice to have a home fixture so we can be at Meadowbank for kicking off the new campaign.

"Hopefully we can get a big crowd to support the team on that day, but then looking towards the rest of the season, it'll be tough - there are lots of very good teams in the league."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Reducing the SWPL to 10 teams was a "no-brainer" and the decision will "add an edge" to the league, says Glasgow City assistant manager Leanne Crichton.

The former Scotland midfielder admits the call must have been hard for teams who were going to be impacted by it, but she says it will help develop the league.

"In the race for the title that we've seen over the last three or four seasons, it's been unlike anything else Europe," Crichton told BBC Scotland.

"So if we can keep that and maintain that, and add the competition across the board, I see it being a real positive."

Crichton also believes reducing the amount of fixtures will also "be massive" for the players.

"The fixture and the scheduling was one of the highest in Europe," she adds.

"When I see how tired and fatigued a lot of the players are, and even when the season ended you're straight into another international window, it's a gruelling schedule.

"I see it as a good thing, and I hope that we'll see that this season."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Ibrox will host more Rangers women's matches "than ever before" next season.

A club statement says the Govan ground will "become the home venue for SWPL matches, subject to scheduling clashes".

However, Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld will continue "to be a venue for the women's team when Ibrox is unavailable".

The club say "uncertainty of the men's European fixtures, especially midweek games, will also need to be taken into account".

The statement adds: "While the club is excited to host the majority of women's games at Ibrox next season, it is important to stress that not every home game will be played there.

"The goal is to use Ibrox as often as possible, but scheduling conflicts will be the main factor in determining whether a game is held at Ibrox."

Some of these clashes are known, others aren't. The first obvious crossover comes early into the new season.

Sunday, 31 August, the third round of SWPL fixtures when Rangers face Motherwell at home, their male counterparts host Celtic in the first Old Firm derby of the season.

Despite the SWPL website listing Ibrox as the venue for this match, it is more than likely that Rangers women will play this fixture at Broadwood, their home for the last three years.

Other factors the club say they will consider in all of this are the Ibrox playing surface and the quality of fan experience.

Meanwhile, women's and girls' managing director Donald Gillies says the decision to move the majority of the club's SWPL games to Ibrox marks a "key milestone".

"This is a big day for our women's first team, and indeed, the entire women's programme at Rangers," he added.

"Ibrox is one of the most recognisable venues anywhere in football, and to know we'll be playing even more games there than ever before will be a huge thrill for the team, and I am sure our supporters too.

"This move will not only help attract top talent to the team, but also ensure we continue to retain and develop our players as we push for greater success."

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With the top flight reverting to 10 teams this season, it takes no time for tasty fixtures to come around.

Matchday four, scheduled for Sunday, 7 September, sees the derby-day special, which has become commonplace in the division.

Celtic host currently-managerless Rangers, Hearts welcome reigning champions Hibernian and Motherwell entertain last season's SWPL2 winners Hamilton Academical.

The reversed derby fest will take place on Sunday, 16 November.

The first meeting between last season's top two - Hibs and Glasgow City - was pencilled in on matchday four - 31 August - but due to their European matches, they will instead face each other on Wednesday, 1 October.

The return fixture between the pair will take place on Sunday, 23 November.

After 18 fixtures, the SWPL will split into a top six and a bottom four, with the clubs playing each other twice, once at home and once away.

If the last few seasons are anything to go by, the post-split fixtures will be highly anticipated, highly competitive and highly influential.