Arsenal Women have announced the signing of England attacker Alessia Russo on a long-term contract following her departure from Manchester United Women.
The 24-year-old became a free agent at the end of June after running down her contract with the Red Devils, who tried and failed to tie her down to an extension.
Russo was reportedly the subject of a world-record £500,000 bid from Arsenal in the January transfer window, as Jonas Eidevall sought solutions to the Gunners' attacking injury crisis with Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema recovering from ACL issues.
Despite the fact that Russo had just six months left on her contract, Man United rejected that offer, and manager Marc Skinner expressed hope that the club would be able to keep the forward at the club for the 2023-24 season.
However, an agreement could not be struck, and following weeks of speculation, Russo has now been confirmed as Arsenal's latest recruit.
Welcome to the Arsenal family.
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) July 4, 2023
Alessia Russo is our new No.23 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/EHItELutGZ
"I'm really excited to be here and I can't wait to get going. 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 told arsenal.com.
"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."
Head Coach 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."
Finally, Head of Women's Football Clare Wheatley said: "We're delighted to have signed Alessia and I'm sure our supporters will be excited by this news.
© Reuters
"Alessia is 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 - who will wear the number 23 shirt for Arsenal - departs Man United having amassed 27 goals in 59 matches for the Red Devils across all competitions during an impressive three-year spell.
The former Chelsea, Brighton & Hove Albion and North Carolina Tar Heels attacker enjoyed her most prolific season to date in 2022-23, netting 13 times in 24 appearances as Man United finished second in the Women's Super League table and reached the FA Cup final.
A 21-cap England international, Russo has 11 goals to her name in a Lionesses jersey, including four strikes during their triumphant Euro 2022 campaign.
The 24-year-old becomes Arsenal Women's third signing of the summer window following the arrivals of Swedish defender Amanda Ilestedt and Canadian striker Cloe Lacasse.
