A commonly used phrase around Manchester City's recruitment strategy in recent years is the desire to not just sign good players, but good people as well.
In the below feature, we take a look at the Blues' four new signings from the 2025 January transfer window.
An exciting blend of proven winners and promising talent, they're each sure to leave a positive impact on the pitch in the coming weeks.
But for all of those achievements so far in the game, it's their inspiring lives away from the pitch which deserve equal recognition.
Rebecca Knaak - CB by trade, PhD by title
Without sounding too dramatic, Rebecca Knaak’s first two months as a City player were a baptism of fire.
Signed on New Year’s Day, the German was thrust straight into the Blues’ starting XI to fill the sizeable void left behind by Club captain Alex Greenwood amid a defensive injury crisis for the Blues.
Two Manchester derbies and a double-header against Arsenal would follow, all inside one month of her debut.
Indeed, the expectation for Knaak to achieve the classic footballing trope of ‘hitting the ground running’ must have, at times, felt like stepping onto a treadmill already at top speed.
But that's exactly what the German has done in her first few months at City.
She’s already grabbed her first goal in Blue (at the Etihad, no less) and was shortlisted for both January and February’s Etihad Player of the Month awards.
To top it all off, Knaak also went on to represent Germany at senior level for the very first time in February 2025, demonstrating how swiftly she’s adapted to the cut and thrust of top-level WSL football.
To achieve such startlingly quick results takes an incredible amount belief and mental fortitude, so Knaak’s academic pursuits in psychology are perhaps already bearing fruit despite her still completing her PhD.
“I was always very interested in why we think certain ways, why we behave in certain ways and what is behind that all,” Knaak begins with her usual quick grin.
“It always helped me to get a balance, to think of something else. I also like when you’re going to bed in the evening knowing you’ve done your training which is number one priority, but you also have some cognitive input.
“In some periods it’s easier and some harder. In summer, you want to be outside and go for coffee or whatever but with the right amount of discipline, it works.
“I’m studying for my PhD, so I don’t have it yet. It’s a bit delayed now due to the different moves because my supervisor is in Frankfurt in Germany and I’m working quite closely with him. The good thing for me now is I can plan it quite individually. I don’t have a timeframe; it’s only me who wants to achieve it.”
There have, of course, been difficult moments to partner those early successes at City for Knaak.
Home defeats to Manchester United and Arsenal were a particular source of frustration for the team but, on both occasions, the response to those setbacks was admirable.
Our number 27 was central to that and does feel her experiences in studying psychology have helped her to both understand and channel her emotions in a positive way.
Dips in form, anxieties and insecurities are part and parcel of being a professional footballer, which is something Knaak has learned to accept.
The results have paid dividends.
She continues: “I would say now at this stage of my career I still struggle in certain situations, which is normal. But I accept it, I know this is normal and you don’t have to avoid it or erase it, you just have to deal with it.
“I think this is a process which I’m still part of. It will probably take forever because you will always develop, but the whole awareness of the topic definitely helped me during my career.
“But it doesn’t mean I don’t struggle. I know it’s important to talk about things, to take advice and also listen to different things and I think this whole topic is so important. I just love to spread the information also.”
She may be a front-foot, physical presence on the pitch, but Knaak’s polite, approachable demeanour off it have already made her an incredibly popular member of the dressing room.
Football is known as the beautiful game, but the pressure it places on those within it can certainly bring out an ugly side.
But Knaak is determined to provide the psychological support that players of her generation and before have perhaps lacked.
“When you hear psychology, sometimes people are like: ‘No I’m not sick, I’m not stupid’,” she concludes.
“No, that’s not what it’s about. It’s just to help you make you feel better. Even if you feel fine, it can still help you.
“Some players and a lot of young players struggle mentally. I know, I’ve been through the same process, and everyone was saying ‘you just need to get through it’.
“Yeah, but maybe there’s a better way. Maybe you don’t have to just get through it, maybe someone can guide you or help you and give you tools on how you can handle situations.
“Because I know some young players probably go home and cry, and I did the same. It would be nice if someone could help them.
“I think there’s a lot of potential. I know some clubs do have psychologists, but I think there is some possibility for development here and how we can actually use it.”
Kerolin Nicoli - Beating the Odds
She’d barely been in England for more than two weeks, but one particular piece of skill showed why Kerolin Nicoli arrived with such fanfare at City.
Quickly put under pressure and facing her own goal after picking up play on the left flank, the Brazilian effortlessly skipped through three or four Arsenal challenges before spreading the play out to the right, springing a City counter-attack in our 2-1 League Cup semi-final win.
Pace, agility, close-control and a sprinkle of South American flair for good measure – it was an exciting indication of what could become a common sight at the Joie Stadium from the Club’s first-ever Brazilian star.
Despite still being just 25, success and silverware are already commonplace in Kerolin Nicoli’s career to date, both at club and international level.
But those titles – a Copa America win and Olympic silver medal with Brazil, back-to-back Challenge Cups with North Carolina Courage and the distinction of becoming the first-ever South American in NWSL history to be named the league’s Most Valuable Player - could so easily have never happened.
In fact, it’s a minor miracle – and an example of the 25-year-old’s sheer determination – that she even went on to become a footballer.
“When I was around 11 years old, I had some pains in my leg, but we didn’t know what was going on,” she begins.
“We went to the medical staff, and they were saying maybe it was tears, but it was really painful so we kept an eye on it because of the pain.
“I went to a different doctor and then they started to say maybe it was something else, but they needed to check. I was in hospital for three months as they tried to figure out what was going on.”
The eventual diagnosis? Osteomyelitis (a severe bone infection) and cellulitis (a potentially life-threatening skin infection) in her leg.
Had these not been identified and treated, it could’ve led to amputation or, in severe cases, loss of life.
The Brazilian, thankfully, recovered but was advised to immediately stop playing all forms of contact sport.
“It was really serious. If they didn’t find it, I would basically have no leg anymore,” she explains with an almost remarkable matter of fact tone.
“I was 11 years old, and it was hard to figure out as I was young for that. I remember the doctor said, ‘I think it’s better for you to do something else without contact’.
“But when I was 15, I was like: ‘I have no pain, and I feel fine’ so I just started to play soccer again and everything was fine.”
It’s not been an easy journey for the 25-year-old, especially when you also throw a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament injury back in 2023 into the mix as well.
Adversity of that nature could make or break a person, but the Brazilian believes those obstacles have given her the toughness needed to meet any challenge with a fortitude that can only be discovered in the harshest conditions.
On a more positive note – the experience also means that Kerolin Nicoli puts her footballing career into perspective.
It’s a high-pressure environment, particularly at the top, but simply being able to set foot on the pitch remains a blessing in itself to the Brazilian.
Her almost care-free, entertaining style on the ball, and boundless energy off it, pays homage to that mentality.
She adds: “Even when I was young, I was getting to know more about myself and I said: ‘okay I can do it’.
“When the process was going on [of becoming a footballer] I thought it was crazy, because I was close to not having feet and now I’m playing for Manchester City.
“I consider myself a little resilient, and I love that. I like to be challenged and before I came here, I knew it would be a challenge.
“But I think the way I can play is by showing the coach [what I can do] in every training session. I can’t wait to show my game.”
Laura Wienroither - ACL Recovery and Down Syndrome Awareness
It was one of the biggest games of Laura Wienroither’s career to date.
Introduced as a second half substitute just after the hour, Arsenal were trailing VfL Wolfsburg 2-1 and were 25 minutes from exiting the Champions League at the semi-final stage.
Just over 10 minutes later and the momentum had swung the Gunners’ way as former Blue Jen Beattie drew them level in the tie.
Less than 20 seconds after the restart Wienroither chased down a ball out to the right wing but, as she changed direction to tackle Sveindís Jane Jónsdóttir, her left knee gave way.
The distress on hers and her team-mates faces told you everything you needed to know, and although Arsenal would go on to lose the tie in extra time, Wienroither was having to process a far more significant – and very personal – challenge.
It’s the injury every footballer dreads; a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.
But as the Austrian, who returned to action 328 days after that injury as the Gunners beat Bristol City in the WSL, remains incredibly relaxed as she discusses her rehabilitation.
She explains: “I was pretty aware of what had happened the second it did, but I always felt safe where I was at.
“I knew I had good people around me and knew I had people I will do my recovery with.
“I feel like I’ve never really been struggling to be honest, just because I’ve had a really good support network around me. It made it a lot easier for me.”
What will have been particularly motivating for Wienroither was the presence of other team-mates going through the same painstaking recovery as her.
Many footballers refer to the reduced contact with the rest of the squad as one of the most difficult elements of rehabilitation but, in new City colleague Vivianne Miedema, the Austrian had someone to experience those highs and lows with.
So much so, she even moved in with the Dutch international following her surgery.
“You never want anyone to be injured but obviously it does make it easier to see people ahead of you making their next steps like running on the alter-g or being on the pitch for the first time,” she continues.
“You always had a goal in front of you which obviously does make it a lot easier when you just have something you trained for and can also see with your own eyes through someone else really.
“I had my surgery in London, and I don’t have family here. My parents were here for my surgery but then I was still on crutches and needed help, so I lived with Viv.
“They just took care of me and sorted me out with getting ready, dinner, coffees, all these kinds of things.
“I really appreciated that, because I needed help, and they offered it. I think we had a good time in a bad time, but I think we definitely made the most out of it. We’ve created strong connections and they're memories that last forever, I guess.”
It’s clear that Wienroither was blessed to have an incredible support network around her during that ACL recovery.
However, the defender also used that time away from the pitch to discover some of her other interests and passions.
A Sports Management degree aside, Wienroither has also used her position and profile to promote issues and initiatives that are important to her.
Towards the end of 2023, the defender became an ambassador for Down Syndrome Austria, attending coaching sessions and summer camps.
The Austrian has a personal reason for this with a close friend of her parents having a child with Down Syndrome, who’s outlook on life has always been something Wienroither admires.
She explains: “I’ve always really appreciated how she treated people and the happiness she has in her life.
“That really inspired me to work with Down Syndrome Austria and support a group of people that definitely have their heart in the right place.
“I’ve done a couple of sessions, but obviously it’s hard because I’m not in Austria that much. I try to do something every time I’m home in the summer for example, so that’s been really nice.
“They treat each other with so much respect, with so much kindness and I think that’s what we probably need in the world at the moment.
“That’s why I really enjoy working with them. They are such a good group of people, and I think they give so much joy to the world. I just try to give them something back, or at least as much as I can.”
Aemu Oyama - A lasting impression
Despite the language barrier, Aemu Oyama understands perfectly when asked to do a pose of her favourite goal celebration during her first photoshoot as a City player.
She holds up her fingers to create a ‘W’ with a big grin etched across her face. When asked for its significance, the response is one word: 'Waseda'.
It’s the name of Oyama’s university back in Japan where she had begun a Sports Science degree before her move to Manchester.
Dedicating time to her studies alongside honing her craft on the pitch has presented challenges but, as the 20-year-old breaks down the course’s different modules, her enthusiasm is clear.
“Sport is the main subject, but there are quite a few modules within that such as business, coaching, physio, medicine and also a programme for elderly people,” Oyama begins.
“I’m majoring in sports business, which includes things like sports and leisure or sports marketing and also the running of the matchday atmosphere.
“I have two more years [of study]. At the moment we’re in the spring break so have more free time than when I was in Japan, which means I can spend more time studying.
“Apart from practicing on the ground, I use my computer to watch the videos and study at the moment.”
Initially coming through the ranks at Tokyo Verdy Beleza – the most successful side in the Japanese top flight – Oyama would make her senior debut for the club as a 15-year-old.
Already considered one of the most exciting young talents in Japan, the midfielder would make history when becoming the Nadeshiko League’s youngest goalscorer soon after.
Standout displays also followed on the international front for Oyama, who helped Japan to successive finals at the U20 World Cup in 2022 and 2024.
But despite all of those early achievements, the midfielder was still representing Waseda in College Football, something she admits gave her a real sense of pride and belonging.
“Beleza are one of the best professional teams in Japan and I played among those players,” she reflects.
“The football was definitely higher in Beleza, but with Waseda you played with the name of the college and the pride of being one of the students.
“That, for me, was a really strong feeling.
“We all know that time after being a professional and having a second career is longer than being a player.
“I think it’s important to have more options after you retire. That’s why I decided to continue in university.
“It definitely helps. During my first year before we chose the specific modules, we studied a variety of subjects including English, which has helped me now.”
A diminutive Japanese midfielder with excellent technical ability and anticipation… sound familiar?
Oyama is remaining patient and learning her craft but, in City team-mate Yui Hasegawa, she has an example of a player with a similar skillset who has flourished in Blue.
In a recent video involving them both, Aemu even cited Yui as the best player she’d ever played with, much to the latter’s amusement.
There’s a seriousness behind the tongue-in-cheek comment, though. Oyama is still just 20 years old, experiencing her first stint outside of her native Japan while also adapting to a different language, culture and climate. It would be a significant challenge for anyone.
But City’s Japanese contingent have certainly been able to ease that transition in Oyama’s first few months.
The fact that one of those players is her hero in Hasegawa is an added bonus.
“I do think our [mine and Yui Hasegawa’s] playing styles are similar,” she explains.
“It’s very reassuring to have other Japanese players in the team.
“We grew up playing the same style of football, so having Japanese players on the pitch helps me.”
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