Here we go time on Säbener Straße…
The Bayern Munich Frauen announced two transactions this week (so far…work is getting done!). Let’s take a look at the releases from the club.
Frauen ink Danish defender Ballisager
The Bayern Frauen added Danish defender Stine Ballisager to the squad. Please see below for the release from the club:
FC Bayern Women have signed Denmark international defender Stine Ballisager. The 31-year-old moves to Munich from Italian club Fiorentina for the 2025/26 season on a two-year contract through to 30 June 2027.
Born on 3 January 1994 in Vellev, Denmark, Ballisager started playing football in her hometown before joining Team Viborg’s youth setup. The defender’s senior career began at Skovbakken and then Aarhus before switching to Norway’s Valerenga in 2018, where she won the league in 2020 and the cup in 2020 and 2021. Ballisager moved to Kansas City Current in the USA from 2023 to 2024 and then to Fiorentina in Italy at the start of 2025.
The 5’7’’ (1.71m) defender started representing Denmark at U16 level back in 2009 and earned her first of now 62 senior caps in 2012. She was part of the team that finished runners-up at the 2017 Euros alongside now clubmate Pernille Harder.
Francisco De Sá Fardilha, FC Bayern Women technical director: “We’ve been in touch with Stine over the last two years and are happy we’ve now been able to sign her. She’s a fighter, is quick and strong in duels, as well as being a good technical player. She also has great experience at the highest level, with over 60 international caps and leadership skills. On top of that, she’s hungry for titles, which is very important at a club like Bayern.”
Stine Ballisager: “I’m excited to get to play for FC Bayern Women from this summer. I’ve been following the club for a long time. The team has achieved some impressive success in recent years. My style of play is first and foremost about defending. I see myself as a real defender. But I also have a passion for possession football, which is a great fit for Bayern. I’ve got to play in several countries during my career already and got to know different footballing cultures. Bayern combines a lot of that for me: The physicality and aggressiveness of the USA but also the technical side of things and tactical discipline that I’ve experienced in Italy. I’m really excited to play in this fantastic team as of this summer.”
Frauen sign Canadian star Gilles
Please see below for Bayern Munich’s release on the signing of Canadian central defender Vanessa Gilles:
FC Bayern Women have completed the signing of Vanessa Gilles. The 29-year-old Canadian international is moving to the Bavarian state capital from American top-flight side Angel City FC and has signed a contract with the Munich club valid until 30 June 2028. The centre-back has spent the past three seasons on loan at eight-time Champions League winners Olympique Lyonnais.
Born on 11 March 1996 in Châteauguay, Canada, Gilles began her football career with Ottawa Capital United SC. During her studies at the University of Cincinnati, the centre-back played for Cincinnati Bearcats between 2014 and 2017. That was followed by a spell at West Ottawa SC in her homeland and at Cypriot top-flight club Apollon Limassol, with whom she won the national cup in 2018.
Between 2018 and 2021, Gilles laced her boots for French team Girondins Bordeaux, then in the top division, where she worked under incoming Bayern coach José Barcala. The 29-year-old then signed for Angel City in the US in January 2022, before being loaned out to Lyon in September of the same year. The Canadian won the league and cup double with the eight-time Champions League winners in 2023 as well as reaching the final of the UWCL in 2024, where Lyon were beaten by FC Barcelona.
Francisco De Sá Fardilha, FC Bayern Women technical director: “Vanessa is a player who always gives 110 percent on the pitch. That’s the kind of character that fits in perfectly with FC Bayern and our philosophy. She’s one of the best central defenders in the world as far as tackling and defending in the penalty area are concerned. She also has plenty of experience at the very highest level. Vanessa has won the Olympic Games with her country Canada and has also played in the Champions League final. In that respect, she’ll definitely help us in the big games, particularly in Europe. Vanessa is a player who will perfectly embody the DNA of the club as well as the ‘Mia san mia’ mentality. We’re very happy that she’s chosen to join FC Bayern.”
Vanessa Gilles: “I’m very happy and proud to have signed for FC Bayern and am looking forward to our future together. Everyone knows Munich, everyone knows the history of this great club. I’m looking forward to working with a team that have represented high ambitions for many years. That’s a very good fit for my goals, be it at domestic level or in the Champions League. In addition, the family environment around the whole club impressed me a lot from the start. I want to provide security and stability in defence – my strengths lie particularly in the one-v-one duels. I’m also really excited about working with our new coach. I already know José from our time in Bordeaux.”
Bayern Munich’s season is over, but we have plenty to talk about. Let’s discuss how we feel about the season and why fan expectations will be higher in 2025/26. We’ll also hit on Harry Kane’s statements, which seem to indicate that he could extend his contract, while also giving a breakdown of Bayern Munich’s big contract/transfer situations. Finally, we touch on Uli Hoeneß proving he has not lost a step with the media as he provided some commentary on the Florian Wirtz transfer saga. You can get the podcast on Patreon, Spotify, or below:
Also, be sure to stay tuned to Bavarian Podcast Works for all of your up to date coverage on Bayern Munich and Germany. Check us out on Patreon and follow us on Twitter @BavarianFBWorks, @BavarianPodcast @TheBarrelBlog, @BFWCyler, @2012nonexistent, @TommyAdams71 and more.
