The WSL switch window is in full swing this week as golf equipment throughout the league ramp up their summer season enterprise.
This week alone, Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Mariona Caldentey and Liverpool have damaged their switch report to signal Olivia Smith from Sporting CP. Now, Manchester United are additionally in on the motion as they unveil their first signing of the summer season window.
Former Arsenal and Wolfsburg defender Dominique Janssen has joined the membership on a three-year deal till 2027, with the choice of an additional yr. The Netherlands worldwide arrives having spent the final 5 years within the Frauen-Bundesliga.
Information arrives as a welcomed enhance for United and their supporters after a turbulent week for the membership. Captain Katie Zelem and England goalkeeper Mary Earps each departed, whereas there additionally have been studies the ladies’s workforce will probably be pressured to make use of moveable buildings on the Carrington coaching base so as to accommodate the lads’s workforce whereas the venue undergoes renovations subsequent season.
Not solely that, new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe bluntly admitted plans for the ladies’s workforce are ‘TBC’ as issues stand. To place it merely, it did not rain, it poured in Manchester final week.
However consideration will be shifted to new beginnings on the membership as United affirm their first signing of the summer season window. Janssen brings along with her a wealth of expertise at each membership and worldwide degree.
Now 29, the defender spent her youth profession at RKSV Wittenhorst, her native workforce within the province of Limburg within the Netherlands. In 2013, when she was nonetheless simply a youngster, she joined SGS Essen in Germany, turning down the likes of Ajax and PSV so as to full the transfer.
In 2015, at 20 years of age, she made the transfer to England to affix Arsenal the place she spent 4 profitable years of her profession. With the Gunners, she gained one league title, one FA Cup and two League Cups.
Upon departing north London in 2019, she returned to Germany and signed for European giants Wolfsburg. There, she gained two Frauen-Bundesliga titles and three German Cups.
Janssen can be some of the senior members of the Dutch squad and was a part of their Euro 2017-winning workforce beneath Sarina Wiegman. She has over 100 caps for the Netherlands and began their slender World Cup remaining defeat towards the US in 2019.
Following information of her arrival in Manchester, supervisor Marc Skinner put the significance of her expertise completely.
“Dominique is a confirmed winner, each domestically and internationally. Her profitable mentality is a crucial addition to our workforce, and her notable enjoying expertise will improve our whole dressing room,” the boss defined.
Signing a participant with such pedigree at each membership and worldwide degree can’t be understated, not least as a result of the membership have simply misplaced two of their finest leaders in Zelem and Earps.
Nevertheless, Janssen’s arrival goes some solution to restoring a way of management among the many gamers. Ought to United be capable to reclaim their Champions League spot subsequent season, her expertise within the competitors for Wolfsburg will even be extremely precious.
Janssen will deliver versatility too. Having beforehand operated in midfield throughout her final spell within the WSL with Arsenal, she transitioned into an elite centre-back at Wolfsburg and for her nationwide workforce, in addition to being properly versed at left-back too.
The place Skinner sees her finest at United stays to be seen, however she is going to supply immense depth in a number of positions, if vital. In defence, she is going to present stern competitors for Millie Turner as each gamers sometimes occupy the left-sided centre-back place.
Though United haven’t any European soccer in 2024/25, squad depth in defensive areas, given the accidents sustained final season, might be very important in guaranteeing they reclaim a high three place subsequent time period.
The brand new marketing campaign will, definitely, be one in all United’s biggest assessments since their promotion to the highest flight in 2019. With massive names departing, it is going to understandably be a transitional yr, but, after profitable the FA Cup solely a matter of months in the past, the load of expectation will probably be heavy at Leigh Sports activities Village. Janssen’s arrival, a minimum of, is a step in the correct route.
