Arsenal have signed forward, Alessia Russo on a free transfer from Manchester United.
Russo’s contract at Utd expired last Friday (30 June) after she rejected offers of a new contract, despite having led Utd’s charge to the runner-up position in Women’s Super League and Women’s FA Cup where they missed out on both titles to Chelsea.
Arsenal have consequently swooped for Russo who becomes their third signing of this summer’s transfer window, having already signed Amanda Ilestedt and Cloe Lacasse from PSG and Benfica respectively.
Russo will wear the number 23 shirt and join up with her new teammates after the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“I’m really excited to be here and I can’t wait to get going,” commented Russo as she explained her ambitions. “I want to win trophies – as does everyone in this club. I can’t wait to get stuck in and grow as a player – it’s a new challenge and a new environment.”
Russo proceeded to praise Arsenal for their work to grow the women’s game with stunning crowds at the Emirates Stadium for several fixtures last season, as she added: “I think the growth of the women’s game has been incredible, but particularly at a club like Arsenal.
“The sell-out against Wolfsburg at Emirates Stadium last season was fantastic, and I’m just really excited to be part of this club.”
Manager, Jonas Eidevall added: “Alessia is one of the best forwards in the world and has significant potential to continue growing and improving.
“She has a proven track record of scoring goals in the WSL and at international level and we believe she will be a quality addition to our forward line, so we’re all delighted to have brought her to the club.”
Arsenal’s Director of Women’s Football, Clare Wheatley meanwhile is “delighted” that the club have finally signed Russo, who she described as “a very talented footballer who fits the profile of player we want to bring to this club.
“We believe she has a high ceiling for further development and we are confident that we can go to the next level together.”
Russo began her career with Charlton Athletic at youth level before she joined Chelsea in 2010 from which she went on to make just one senior appearance for the Blues, as Chelsea suffered a shock WSL Continental Cup exit to London Bees in the First Round of 2016’s edition of the tournament.
Upon leaving Chelsea in early 2017, Russo went on to score three goals in nine appearances for Brighton before she joined USA’s North Carolina Tar Heels, where she managed 28 goals in 57 appearances but the Coronavirus pandemic forced her to return to England in Summer 2020.
Russo subsequently opted to join Man Utd where she netted 27 goals in 59 appearances across the last three seasons, including 13 goals in 24 appearances last season.
The 24 year-old has represented England in international football since she made her debut in March 2020, and has gone on to score 11 goals in 22 appearances – during which she scored four goals at UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 to finish as third-best goalscorer behind Beth Mead and Germany’s Alexandra Popp.
Russo was also awarded Goal of the Tournament for a stunning backheel strike during England’s semi-final win over Sweden, en-route to the Lionesses’ Euros success on home soil last summer.
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