2024/2025 Liga F: From Melanie Leupolz to Ewa Pajor, five key transfers ahead of the new women's football season in Spain
As teams prepare for another season of Spanish football, we take a look at five moves that could be season-defining for their respective clubs.
Football
The new Liga F season kicks off on Friday (6 September), as the best teams in Spanish women’s football come together to compete for the title.
FC Barcelona are the clear favourites, having won the last five league titles, often with little competition.
However, that hasn't stopped clubs across the country from strengthening their squads ahead of another big campaign.
Olympics.com takes a look at some of the key moves made this summer as teams aim to challenge Barça’s dominance.
Germany international Melanie Leupolz.
2024/2025 Liga F: Five key transfers
Melanie Leupolz to Real Madrid
Real Madrid have had an impressive transfer window so far, adding much-needed experience across the pitch. But the signing of Melanie Leupolz is among their most important.
While they are not shy of options in the middle of the park, the 30-year-old brings plenty of experience and a winning mentality following her four-year stint with Chelsea in particular. At least one trophy won in each of her seasons with the London club bodes well for her arrival in the Spanish capital.
With Madrid still looking for their first piece of major silverware, adding a bona fide winner to their ranks will go a long way – not to mention that Leupolz is the kind of player who will lead both on and off the pitch. Depending on how the season unfolds, this could be one of the signings of the summer.
Ewa Pajor to FC Barcelona
Ewa Pajor has perhaps gone under the radar as one of the best forwards in women’s football. Quietly going about her business with VfL Wolfsburg for nine years, the Polish striker will now take centre stage at arguably the best side in the world – FC Barcelona.
After lacking a focal point of late, Pajor bolsters an already stacked forward line, bringing quite the arsenal of goals with her, too. Netting 136 goals in 196 appearances during her stint in Germany, she will only strengthen this seemingly impenetrable side.
There is also personal motivation in joining the team that has won consecutive UWCL titles, having been on the losing side a gutting four times. This could be the year that luck changes.
Luany to Atletico Madrid
After losing the likes of Ludmila and Leicy Santos to the NWSL, Atletico were in need of reinforcements ahead of a blockbuster season. 21-year-old Luany joins them from OL Reign, having spent a season on loan at Madrid CFF, where the Brazilian bagged six goals and five assists during her first campaign in the Spanish league.
She is regarded as a bright young talent, having shown what she is capable of last term with regular playing time. Although Atleti failed with their bid to progress in the Champions League, it means they can focus their attention on Liga F and developing the players they’ve added to their roster this summer.
Lucia Pardo to Real Sociedad (loan)
Barring a surprise second-place finish in 2021/2022, Real Sociedad has traditionally been a mid-table team, generally finishing around 8th. This season, they’ve added Lucia Pardo to their squad, hoping the 24-year-old can find her form in front of goal.
She joins from Madrid CFF, where she scored eight times and provided nine assists in her last two seasons. But her current record has yet to reach the kind of success she enjoyed in her youth progression, where she developed into a proven goal-scorer.
Sociedad are the kind of side that knows how to nurture talents, and if they can do the same for Pardo, they may begin to climb the table once more.
Serbian international Allegra Poljak.
Allegra Poljak to Madrid CFF
Since losing Racheal Kundananji to NWSL newcomers Bay FC earlier this year, Madrid CFF have been looking to reinstate the ‘wow’ factor in their forward line. Their search remained within the bounds of Liga F, leading them to sign Allegra Poljak from Levante Las Planas.
The 25-year-old is familiar with the league. She has spent the last five years honing her craft in Liga F, working her way up the table with several transfers.
She joins a side that finished sixth last term, 11 points off a UEFA Champions League spot. Described as versatile and fast, playing up top and even as a full-back if needed, the Serbian international could be Madrid's difference maker this season.