Brighton enter the new Women's Super League season carrying momentum from a landmark campaign that saw them reach their first ever FA Cup final, despite falling to Manchester City at Wembley. Under manager Dario Vidosic, the south coast club finished seventh in the league last term but produced notable results down the stretch, including a win over City and a draw with Arsenal, giving the squad confidence heading into the new campaign.
Guardian writers have tipped Brighton to finish sixth this season, a slight improvement on last year's placing. The club has enjoyed a relatively settled summer, bringing in seven new players while losing only four from last season's squad. Among the incomings, Switzerland captain Lia Wälti and defender Gabby George stand out for the experience and quality they add, while young attacking talents Emily Murphy of the Republic of Ireland and Poland's Nadia Krezyman are expected to grow into prominent roles.
Wälti's arrival from Juventus is considered the marquee signing of Brighton's transfer window. The 33-year-old midfielder spent seven years at Arsenal, winning a WSL title and a Champions League medal, and was instrumental in guiding Switzerland to the quarter-finals of Euro 2025. Her composure and vision in midfield could prove pivotal if she stays fit throughout the season.
"Brighton is not a team that has to hide," Wälti said. "In the last couple of years, they've been able to hurt the big teams in many moments, and they reached the FA Cup final last season as well. We're not going to be favourites in every single game, but that's a nice position to be in."
One of the club's biggest challenges last season was a lack of a reliable goalscorer, a problem worsened by the ACL injury to Arsenal loanee and England Euros hero Michelle Agyemang. Kiko Seike ended the campaign as Brighton's top scorer with eight league goals, the only Brighton player to feature among the WSL's top 20 for goals and assists. Interestingly, statistics show Brighton had the best shot accuracy in the league last season but ranked among the four worst teams in converting those efforts into goals — a trend the club will be eager to reverse.
Sophie Peskett, a 23-year-old winger who made history as Ipswich's first professional player back in 2021, has also joined the club after seven years and 127 appearances with her former side, where she helped secure two promotions to the WSL 2. Her attacking instincts are expected to strengthen Brighton's forward options.
Entering his third season in charge, Vidosic is now the second-longest-serving manager in the WSL. The Croatian-born Australian has focused on building a possession-based, high-pressing style, while also developing tactical solutions to compete against the league's bigger clubs. Reaching the FA Cup final last season is seen as evidence that his approach is progressing toward silverware.
Off the pitch, Brighton have secured Pinterest as the first solo sponsor of the women's team in a four-year deal centered on "matchday style." The club also continues to plan for a new stadium next to the Amex, designed to be Europe's first purpose-built women's football venue, with an anticipated opening for the 2030-31 season. In the meantime, Brighton will play most home fixtures at Crawley's Broadfield Stadium, though four of their opening six matches will be staged at the Amex Stadium.
Brighton open their season on 6 September against Arsenal at Crawley, a fixture considered the toughest of their opening four matches, and one that will offer an early indication of how far the club has progressed since last season's cup heartbreak.
Based on reporting from Guardian Football.