But will the multitude of new arrivals have an impact on the amount of game time afforded to England-qualified players?
Asked if, despite boosting the league’s profile, the new overseas arrivals would take away opportunities for the development of young English talent, Aston Villa defender Anita Asante told BBC Radio 5 Live: “Absolutely, I think it will to some degree, I think that’s inevitable.
“The top clubs are driving the standards in terms of the professional game – you’re going to pull in the best talent across the world.
“It might make it a bit more challenging for those youth players to really get that first-team experience that players used to get.
“That’s a challenge and a balance that clubs are going to have to strike, depending on their own philosophy. Clubs aren’t always geared towards national team development either.”
The issue is one the Football Association are mindful of and it was confirmed on Wednesday that a new homegrown players quota has been agreed from the 2021-22 season, meaning that – from, next season – at least eight of a club’s 25-player squad must have spent at least three years training in England prior to their 21st birthday.
The FA hopes to increase that quota further in future years, however, no such rule will be in place this term and – even when it does come in to force – it will not stipulate the number of homegrown players who must feature in the matchday squad.
Asked whether she was concerned about the impact this summer’s non-English signings might have on young English players, Kelly Simmons, the FA’s director for the women’s professional game, replied: “It’s one to watch, for sure. It’s something that we’ve been talking to the clubs about and the board.
“We are increasing the number of loans, to give the clubs a chance, and that comes in this season, to make sure that young talent who are maybe not getting on [the pitch] can go out on loan and get key game time, which is so important for their development.
“We’re doing a review as well; we’ve got four pilot clubs where we are reviewing our player pathways. So, alongside rules, we’ve got to make sure we’re producing top, top talent, so we get this blend of English and [foreign] world-class talent.”
All figures are correct as of 17:00 BST on Thursday, 10 September, but do not take in to account any signings announced after this time. An earlier version of this article was published on 3 September.