Everton Women have wasted little time in preparing for next season, with the futures of six of the team’s stars already decided.
While midfielder Clare Wheeler and young defender Kenzie Weir have recently agreed contract extensions with the Toffees, the Blues have also announced the departures of Rikke Madsen, Karoline Olesen, Maren Mjelde and Lauren Thomas, who will leave upon completion of their contracts.
Everton’s season concluded with a 1-1 draw at home to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, 10 May, a result which sees Brian Sorensen’s team finish eighth in the WSL table.
The Dane, who has also recently agreed a contract extension with the club, can look forward to managing from the Goodison Park dugout next season, following the announcement that his team can call the Grand Old Lady home from the 2025/26 campaign, which will be his fourth in charge.
Chelsea v Everton - Barclays Women’s Super League - Kingsmeadow Photo by Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images
So what does the decision on the six players mean for the Blues moving forward?
Let’s take a look:
Clare Wheeler - Staying
A key player for both the Blues and her native Australia, Wheeler has established herself as a crucial cog in Brian Sorensen’s side since arriving on Merseyside in August 2022.
Th 27-year-old midfielder, who has shown that she is perfectly adept in defence, put pen-to-paper on a new two-year deal that will keep her at the Club until the end of June 2027.
A popular figure with both teammates and fans alike, Wheeler demonstrated her leadership skills this season when took the captain’s armband in the Toffees’ remaining four fixtures of the season, most notably leading the Blues to an impressive 2-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield.
Liverpool FC v Everton FC - Barclays Women’s Super League Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Kenzie Weir - Staying
Scottish defdner Weir signed a new one-year contract with Everton Women, keeping the 21-year-old at the club until the end of June 2026.
The centre-back - daughter of former Toffee David - made her highly-anticipated return to the matchday squad during the 1-1 with Manchester City, after finally recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered in May 2024, while on loan with Glasgow City.
A highly-rated player, Weir also has Champions League experience, having played, and scored, in the competition while on loan with Glasgow City.
During her temporary stint north of the border, the Scottish Under-19 international was named Coaches’ Player of the Year before sustaining a long-term injury in the penultimate game of her loan spell.
Glasgow City v SK Brann - UEFA Women’s Champions League Qualifying Round
And with the likelihood of Martina Fernandez returning to Barcelona following the conclusion of her loan spell and the injury to Megan Finnigan, Sorensen will need all the cover he can get in the central defensive area, although don’t be surprised if the coach prioritises that position in the summer transfer market.
Karoline Olesen - Leaving
Joining in the summer of 2023, Olesen joined has made 21 appearances this season and was named in the starting XI that enjoyed a 2-0 win against Liverpool at Anfield last week.
The 20-year-old scored her first goal for the Toffees during a 3-0 victory over Aston Villa but has often been used from the bench.
And with Inma Gabarro on her way back to fitness, Melissa Lawley, and the form of Toni Payne, chances of a obtaining a regular starting place will be tough for the Dane, who will leave when her contract expires.
Rikke Madsen - Leaving
Another Dane set to depart, Rikke Madsen made the switch from US side North Carolina Courage to Merseyside in January 2024.
An eventful 16 months saw the forward made her debut in the Villa cup tie, coming off the bench during the second half, before pregnancy temporarily halted the 27-year-old’s playing career.
After giving birth to daughter Frida, Madsen made her return to action during the Blues’ 3-0 victory against Crystal Palace in March.
Everton FC v Crystal Palace - Barclays Women’s Super League Photo by Jan Kruger - The FA/The FA via Getty Images
But her time at Everton will always be best remembered for what happened after the fixture, when Madsen’s partner Martin got down on one knee and proposed to the striker, who said yes.
Maren Mjelde - Leaving
Arriving as Everton’s sixth signing of the January transfer window, Maren Mjelde’s stay was only ever destined to be a short one.
Capped over 170 times by her native Norway, the veteran defender provided cover for the injured Megan Finnigan and has been instrumental in guiding Fernandez at the back.
The hugely decorated 35-year-old netted the opener in the Toffees’ 2-0 win against Aston Villa in March, and is a six-time winner of the WSL with Chelsea.
Aston Villa FC v Everton FC - Barclays Women’s Super League Photo by Morgan Harlow/Getty Images
Lauren Thomas - Leaving
Winger Lauren Thomas joined Everton in September on a short-term contract having spent five years at Blackburn Rovers.
Always struggling to break into the team, the 25-year-old did play all three of the Toffees’ FA Women’s League Cup fixtures, making one appearance in the WSL.
Much like Madsen and Olesen, Thomas’ preferred position is one that sees the Blues already well stacked in that area.