Crystal Palace Women have signed seven new players ahead of their second season in the WSL, including former Tottenham captain Bethany England and former Leicester striker Shannon O’Brien. The new squad features a mix of experience and youth across all positions, with signings such as defender Molly Bartrip, midfielder Sierra Enge and goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin.

New Signings

  • Bethany England - 32, forward, number 9, two-year contract with a third-year option. England joins from Tottenham Hotspur after captaining the club and scoring 87 WSL goals. She is the second-all-time top scorer in the league and a UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 winner, bringing a proven goal-scoring threat to Jo Potter’s side.
  • Shannon O’Brien - 24, forward, three-year deal from Leicester City. O’Brien has five WSL seasons, 97 appearances and 17 goals for Leicester, and scored five goals last season. She is an England U23 international.
  • Molly Bartrip - 30, centre-back, three-year contract from Tottenham Hotspur. Bartrip has 150 WSL appearances over five years, England youth experience and previously played with Potter at Reading.
  • Sierra Enge - 26, midfielder, two-year deal from Strasbourg. Enge has 44 appearances in the French top-flight, rose through the American college system and is a former US U23 international.
  • Lexi Lloyd-Smith - 23, forward, three-year contract from Bristol City. Lloyd-Smith won the WSL2 Golden Boot 2025/26 with 11 goals and was named in the WSL2 Team of the Year. She is an England U23 international and grew up in Peckham.
  • Teyah Goldie - 22, centre-back, season-long loan from London City Lionesses. Goldie helped London City win promotion in 2024/25, made six WSL appearances last season and is an England U23 international.
  • Pauline Peyraud-Magnin - 34, goalkeeper, season-long loan from Denver Summit. Peyraud-Magnin has won the UEFA Women’s Champions League twice, 70 caps for France, and experience in the WSL, French and Spanish top flights.

Strengthening the Squad

The club’s transfer strategy focuses on depth, experience and covering all areas of the squad. With England’s goal-scoring pedigree, Bartrip’s defensive leadership, Enge’s midfield versatility and Lloyd-Smith’s attacking flair, Palace aims to balance seasoned veterans with emerging talent. The loan of Goldie adds defensive cover, while Peyraud-Magnin’s experience between the posts supports Shae Yanez.

Preparing for the Top Flight

Crystal Palace Women are entering their second season in the WSL under a new promotion format where three teams rise and only the bottom two face relegation. The club’s summer signings reflect a serious commitment to compete among the best. With a squad that now includes former captains, international experience and promising young players, Palace is poised to make an impact in the league, the FA Cup and the League Cup.