Arsenal sign USWNT defender Jenna Nighswonger from Gotham FC | OneFootball

Arsenal have signed the USA defender Jenna Nighswonger before the Women’s Super League transfer window closes on Thursday.

The 24-year-old left-back has moved from the National Women’s Soccer League club NJ/NY Gotham FC for a fee understood to be $100,000 (£80,360). She had one season remaining on her contract.

Nighswonger said: “I’m so happy to be here. I’ve always wanted to play in England and joining such an historic football club is a dream come true. I want to win trophies with this club and help the team in any way possible. It’s an incredible feeling to be able to call myself an Arsenal player and I can’t wait to get started.”

Gotham finished third in the regular NWSL table last season and the California-born Nighswonger has been there since 2023, helping them to win the NWSL title that year. She has made 18 international appearances for the Olympic champions and was part of the squad that won gold in Paris last August under the former Chelsea manager Emma Hayes.

Nighswonger has scored twice for the USA since her international debut in December 2023. She previously represented her country at under‑16, under-17, under-18, under-20 and under-23 levels. Her move to Arsenal is understood to be all-but finalised.

Arsenal regard Nighswonger as not only an excellent international-calibre player but as being of the right age profile. She is more than experienced enough to make an impact and has the potential to improve. Nighswonger’s move will bring a second high-profile USA defender to the English top flight this week, days after Naomi Girma moved to Chelsea from San Diego Wave for a world-record $1.1m.

Renée Slegers, Arsenal’s head coach, said: “Jenna has had a great trajectory in the game and we’re delighted to bring her to Arsenal. Despite being only 24, she plays with great maturity and presence and knows what it takes to compete to win on the biggest stages at both domestic and national team level. Jenna is an important addition to our squad and I’m looking forward to getting started together.”

Header image: [Photograph: Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC/Getty Images]