Arsenal have signed the World Cup-winning Spain forward Mariona Caldentey from Barcelona on a free transfer. The 28-year-old had a 10-year spell at Barcelona during which she won 25 trophies, including three Champions Leagues, the third of which came in May against Lyon.
Arsenal view Caldentey as one of the best players in the world and their recruitment team identified her as a key target because of her ruthless winning mentality and the opportunity to sign her in the prime of her career. She has been given the No 8 shirt.
The increased frequency of matches played at the Emirates Stadium is understood to have been a significant factor towards her decision to choose Arsenal. “This is the right time for a new challenge for me and Arsenal is the perfect place,” she said. “What Arsenal are doing as a club is amazing – on and off the pitch. I love the way we want to play as a team and I think there’s a strong mentality building here.
“It’s been incredible to see what the club has done away from the pitch with supporters following the team everywhere and lots of records being broken. I can’t wait to get started and help the team win trophies and entertain our supporters.”
Caldentey scored 114 times in 302 appearances for Barcelona and has 26 times in 72 games for Spain. She started last August’s World Cup final against England in Sydney.
“Mariona is a world-class forward and we are delighted to bring her to Arsenal,” Jonas Eidevall, Arsenal’s manager, said. “She’s a winner with proven experience of excelling on the biggest stage, which is exactly where we aim to be at this club.”
Arsenal finished third in the WSL last season and will find out their opponents in the first round of Champions League qualifying when the draw is made on Friday.
Manchester United have signed the Netherlands defender Dominique Janssen on a three-year deal, with the option for a further year. The 29-year-old is joining on a free transfer after the expiry of her contract with Wolfsburg, with whom she won two league titles and three German cups.
Janssen, part of the Netherlands side that won the 2017 Euros, was a WSL title winner with Arsenal in 2019 and said: “I cannot wait to now return to the English league and create new winning moments with this talented Manchester United team.”
United’s manager, Marc Skinner, whose side finished in fifth in the WSL in May but won the FA Cup, said: “Dominique is a proven winner, both domestically and internationally. Her winning mentality is an important addition to our team, and her notable playing experience will enhance our entire dressing room.”
Liverpool have spent a club-record fee for Canada’s 19-year-old attacking midfielder Olivia Smith, after meeting a buyout clause understood to be about €250,000 (£212,000) in her contract with the Portuguese club Sporting.
Liverpool’s previous record buy was the Norway striker Sophie Román Haug, for approximately £100,000 last summer. Smith, who can also play in the front line and contributed 13 goals and nine assists in 18 league games in the past season, said: “Now that I’m finally here in the facility, I got to see a little bit of Liverpool, I absolutely love it. I’m super-excited.”
Champions League runners-up Lyon have signed Malawi forward Tabitha Chawinga on a three-year deal until 2027 from Chinese club Wuhan Jianghan University after she enjoyed a formidable season on loan at Lyon’s rivals, Paris Saint-Germain.
Chawinga scored 19 times in 21 league games last season to finish the campaign as the top scorer in the French women’s top flight, receiving the division’s player-of-the-season award. She said: “Signing with a top-tier club was a goal for me, and I am excited to continue my career at OL. I am proud to be the first Malawian to play in Europe and in Lyon.”
