Everton Women have strengthened their attacking options with the signings of forwards Holly McNamara and Jutta Rantala this week. The club, which finished eighth in the final 2025 FA WSL table with 23 points from 22 games, is looking to add more firepower after scoring 25 goals last term. wslfootball.com first reported the story.
Scott Phelan's side conceded 37 goals last season, finishing with a negative goal difference of 12. Their recent form of four consecutive losses highlighted the need for reinforcements. The recruitment of two proven attackers represents a clear attempt to address those shortcomings.
Who are Everton Women's new forwards?
Holly McNamara arrives at Everton as a 23-year-old Australian forward with a proven scoring record. She made an immediate impact in her top-flight debut for Melbourne City back in 2021, scoring on her first appearance. Over 65 games in her career so far, McNamara has registered an impressive 57 goal contributions. She describes herself as a player who thrives on the counter-attack, a style that could suit Everton's approach.
"I would like to be known as a fighter," McNamara said, outlining her mentality. Her ability to make runs in behind defenses should provide a different dimension to Everton's play.
Jutta Rantala joins from Leicester City, where she moved in July. The 26-year-old Finland international brings technical quality and versatility to Merseyside. She is notably two-footed, capable of delivering accurate long diagonal passes and creating chances from set-pieces with either foot. During her time at Leicester, she played alongside notable talents like Ruby Mace, Yuka Momiki, and Hannah Cain. Mace was a nominee for the 2025-26 BWSL Player of the Season award.
"I want to bring a lot of goals and assists," Rantala stated, setting clear targets for her contribution. Her vision and passing range offer Everton a creative outlet they sometimes lacked.
How will they fit into the squad list?
The new signings join an attacking group that includes Aurora Galli, Clare Wheeler, and Rosa van Gool. Midfielders Honoka Hayashi and Karen Holmgaard, along with defender Ornella Vignola, provide the platform in Scott Phelan's system.
Last season's statistics reveal a team that often ceded possession, averaging just 45.1% of the ball. Their attacks were fairly evenly distributed, with 24.6% developing down the left flank and 24.2% down the right. They scored only three goals from direct attacks, relying more on patient buildup or set-plays, from which they converted five times. Rantala's set-piece expertise could be valuable here.
McNamara's preference for counter-attacking football aligns with a team that may not dominate the ball. You can view the full squad profile on our dedicated squad page.
What does this mean for Everton's WSL prospects?
Finishing 32 points behind champions Manchester City W last season shows the size of the gap Everton must close. Adding players with the goal contributions of McNamara and Rantala is a direct response to an offense that needs more punch.
The team's standings page shows the challenge ahead, with the new season offering a fresh start. Integrating two new forwards quickly will be important for building momentum. Their ability to link with existing players like Galli and Hayashi will determine the attack's effectiveness.
Everton's preseason preparations will now focus on building chemistry among the new-look forward line. The club's complete fixtures for the coming campaign will show where these new additions can make an immediate impact. The season begins with Everton looking to move up from eighth place and reduce the large points deficit to the league's top teams.
Scott Phelan now has more tools at his disposal to craft a more potent and versatile attacking strategy for the Women's Super League season ahead.
