Mariona Caldentey beats Arsenal teammates to win WSL Player of the Season award

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Arsenal midfielder Mariona Caldentey has been named the first-ever Women’s Super League Player of the Season, capping off a sensational debut campaign in English football.

Caldentey scooped the prestigious honour at the inaugural Women’s Professional Game Awards on Sunday night, edging out a strong shortlist that included Arsenal team-mate Alessia Russo and Chelsea duo Aggie Beever-Jones and Sandy Baltimore. The accolade, voted for by fans, recognises Caldentey’s standout performances throughout the 2024–25 WSL season.

The Spain international, who joined the Gunners from Barcelona last summer, made an immediate impact in north London. The 29-year-old registered nine goals and five assists in the league, helping Arsenal secure a second-place finish and a spot in the upcoming UEFA Women’s Champions League final — where they will face her former club, Barcelona, in Lisbon on 18 May.

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“I’m super happy because I really enjoyed my first season here,” said Caldentey. “Everyone helped me. It was kind of easy to move from Barcelona. It’s a highly competitive league, but I have enjoyed it.”

While Russo missed out on this award, the England striker recently claimed the 2024–25 FWA Women’s Footballer of the Year prize and shared the WSL Golden Boot with Manchester City forward Khadija Shaw — both finishing with 12 goals.

Also in the running for the Player of the Season award were Brighton’s Kiko Seike, Manchester City’s Mary Fowler, Manchester United’s Maya Le Tissier, Liverpool’s Olivia Smith, and West Ham’s Shekiera Martinez.

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Martinez, who rejoined West Ham in January following a loan spell at SC Freiburg, was named WSL Rising Star after an impressive return to form.

Elsewhere, Vivianne Miedema’s audacious chip in Manchester City’s 4-2 win over Aston Villa was voted WSL Goal of the Season, while London City Lionesses dominated the Women’s Championship honours. Forward Isobel Goodwin claimed both Player of the Season and the Golden Boot with 16 goals, and goalkeeper Emily Orman was awarded the Golden Glove for keeping seven clean sheets.

The WSL Manager of the Season will be announced later this month at the League Managers’ Association dinner.

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