Ashleigh Neville playing for Spurs in the recent North London Derby against Arsenal Keith Richards. Cockroaches. Ashleigh Neville playing for Spurs. Some things just feel like they will never come to an end. Well, today one of them has. The full-back has officially joined Leicester City, ending more than eight years in north London. In […]
Author: Lily White
Spurs Get Busy in Transfer Market With Four Major Signings
It’s been a busy few days at Spurs, at least on the women’s side. The club have announced four new signings. All of them look to be players that not only bulk out the squad, but immediately improve the first team. The developments indicate both a desire from the new leadership, headed by CEO Vinai Venkatesham, to grow the women’s team. It also suggests confidence in manager Martin Ho, after a pretty successful start to the season.
New Signings For Spurs Women
The new signings are:
- Hanna Wijk – 22, defender, from BK Hacken
- Matilda Nilden- 21, winger, from BK Hacken
- Maika Hamano (loan) – 21, forward, from Chelsea
- Julie Blakstad – 24, defender, free agent
They join Signe Gaupset in arriving at Hotspur Way this month. It is noticeable that these are young players. Ho is clearly keen to develop talent and rely on existing experience from the likes of skipper Bethany England, Molly Bartrip and Drew Spence. Indeed, Spence signed a new long-term contract back in early December.
Ho described Wijk as “a modern, athletic full-back,” while Nilden “is an exciting attacking player with the ability to operate as a winger on both sides”. Yes, she is Amanda’s sister. Hamano “is a technically gifted and intelligent attacking player,” according to the head coach. Blakstad “was a clear priority for us,” commented Ho. “Despite strong competition from a number of top clubs in England and across Europe, Julie chose Tottenham Hotspur as the best environment to continue her development.”
Ashleigh Neville Set to Depart
It seems like Ashleigh Neville will be leaving Spurs. The Guardian‘s Tom Garry reported that the long-serving full-back is set to Leicester. Ironically, the Foxes are heading to Brisbane Road this weekend, as the WSL gets back underway. The two sides also meet in an upcoming FA Cup clash. It should give the fans a chance to say goodbye to a cult hero.
Ho Ho Ho: Assessing The First Half of the Season Under Martin
It was clear in the summer that Spurs needed to move on from Robert Vilahamn. The 2024/25 season had been little short of a disaster. Tottenham only survived in the WSL thanks to the dire state of Crystal Palace. Such a shambles could not be repeated. The question then, was not whether to reset things, but […]
Preview: Man Utd vs Tottenham Women in the WSL – Sunday, 14 December, 2025,
Spurs have made huge progress under Martin Ho, but they still lack that statement win. A victory over one of the “Big Four”. Can they change that this weekend?
Spurs were not fantastic last time out against Aston Villa, but that 95th minute Olivia Holdt winner will give them a huge confidence boost going into the game. Ho described it as “huge”. He added that “when you’re not at your best and you can win games, I think it’s the signs of a good team in the making.”
The Dane finished after a wonderful reverse pass by Drew Spence, who this week signed a new contact with the club. Ho regards the Jamaican international as one key leaders in his squad. Spence and captain Bethany England will certainly have to stand up if their team is going to get anything at the Leigh Sports Village Stadium.
The manager is clearly going into the game with a positive attitude: “If we put in a big performance, and we perform to the levels I know we can, with and without the ball, I believe we can be a match for anyone, and we’ve shown that in large spells now.”
Interestingly he said “that we go into this game with a totally different mentality in terms of how we’ve been in the previous game against Arsenal just recently.” This perhaps suggest a bit more attacking intent. However, Ho was clear that “I’m under no illusion that it’s big task in terms of when we play these teams”.
Spurs will have to get this win, and a lot of others, without Jessica Naz. The England winger has cruelly got the second ACL injury of her career and will not be back for some time. “She’s doing okay,” said Ho. He conceded that Naz “will be a big loss in terms of in and out of possession”. Molly Bartrip’s return to the heart of the Tottenham defence is timely though. However well they have been playing without her, it’s yet another senior player back in the mix.
Spurs proved recently against Arsenal that they can grind it out against the top teams. It’s been a remarkable turnaround since that early-season shambles against Man City. However, getting over the line is going to require a real creative spark. Maybe a bit of magic from the bench. I cannot quite see where that is going to come from. But Spurs barely had a sight of Arsenal’s goal in that famous derby almost exactly two years ago and, in Holdt, they have a special player who provide those standout out moments.
Man Utd vs Spurs in the WSL kicks off at 2.30pm GMT/11.30am ET on Sunday, 14th December. It is available to watch for FREE on BBC Two/iPlayer in the UK, and is on ESPN Select/Fubo in the US. If you’re away, you can still access your usual services by using a VPN. I use NordVPN.You can currently get up to 74% off with their holiday deal.
Preview: Tottenham vs Aston Villa Women in the WSL – Sunday, 7 December, 2025, team news
Spurs Women get back into action on Sunday, 7 December, 2025, following the international break. Those trips abroad have taken their toll on some. Charlie Grant, Olga Ahtinen and Cathinka Tandberg picked up injuries and will not feature again before Christmas. All three have contributed this season, but the lost of Tandberg will particularly hurt, given […]