Arsenal’s Mariona Caldentey was crowned PFA Women’s Players’ Player of the Year last night, capping off a remarkable first season in North London. The 29-year-old inspired the Gunners to Champions League glory and a second-place WSL finish, scoring 19 goals in 41 appearances across all competitions.
Caldentey joined Arsenal on a free transfer in the summer of 2024 after leaving Barcelona, where she won 22 major trophies, including three Champions League titles. Her seamless transition to English football has been hailed as one of the most impactful signings of recent years.
Young Player of the Year
Liverpool’s breakout star Olivia Smith was named PFA Women’s Young Player of the Year after an outstanding debut season in the WSL. The 21-year-old Canadian forward scored nine goals in 25 appearances, earning herself a record-breaking £1 million move to Arsenal earlier this summer.
Smith made her international debut for Canada at just 15 years old and joined Liverpool from Sporting Lisbon in 2024 for £200,000. Her meteoric rise has underlined the WSL’s growing role as a stage for young global talent.
Final shortlists
PFA Player of the Year 2025
- Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal) – Winner
- Alessia Russo (Arsenal)
- Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea)
- Mary Fowler (Manchester City)
- Yui Hasegawa (Manchester City)
- Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United)
PFA Young Player of the Year 2025
- Olivia Smith (Arsenal) – Winner
- Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea)
- Maika Hamano (Chelsea)
- Wieke Kaptein (Chelsea)
- Grace Clinton (Manchester United)
- Mary Fowler (Manchester City)
Emma Hayes honored with PFA merit award
Former Chelsea manager Emma Hayes was recognised with the PFA Merit Award, celebrating her transformative impact on English women’s football before leaving for the US Women’s National Team job.
Hayes, who won six WSL titles, five FA Cups, two league cups and a Champions League runners-up medal during her 12 years at Chelsea, is widely credited with reshaping the landscape of the women’s game in England. Her tactical innovation, relentless standards, and ability to build Chelsea into a footballing powerhouse made her one of the most influential figures in modern football.
WSL team of the year
Despite Chelsea’s domestic dominance, Arsenal players headlined the PFA Team of the Year, with four inclusions.
- GK: Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United)
- DEF: Millie Bright (Chelsea)
- DEF: Emily Fox (Arsenal)
- DEF: Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United)
- DEF: Jayde Riviere (Manchester United)
- MID: Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea)
- MID: Kim Little (Arsenal)
- MID: Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal)
- MID: Yui Hasegawa (Manchester City)
- FWD: Mary Fowler, (Manchester City)
- FWD: Alessia Russo (Arsenal)
What’s Next
No player has ever won back-to-back PFA Player of the Year awards. After the season and summer she’s just had, could Mariona Caldentey be the one to rewrite history?
