Credit: Twitter
Following her release from Manchester United Women, English attacker Alessia Russo has signed with Arsenal Women on a long-term deal. After exhausting her contract with the Red Devils, who attempted and failed to lock her down to an extension, the 24-year-old became a free agent at the end of June.
According to sources, Russo was the subject of two bids from Arsenal in January, one of which involved a world-record cost. Despite United's best efforts to maintain their star striker, however, contract negotiations fell through, and this summer Russo became a free agent. Since then, Lyon and the Washington Spirit have lost out to Arsenal in the race for her signing.
The official social media handle of Arsenal Women welcomed the striker via a tweet on Tuesday. The tweet read, “Welcome to the Arsenal family. Alessia Russo is our new No.23 ❤️” It also included an exciting video of the 24-year-old flaunting the Arsenal kit.
Watch the video here:
“I’m really excited to be here and I can’t wait to get going,” Russo expressed right after joining The Gunner. “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 added further.
She signed for United in 2020 after moving back to England, the team she had loved as a child, and went on to score 26 goals in 59 games. With England, she has 11 goals in 21 games at the international level. In the WSL last season, Russo scored 10 goals as United finished second to champion Chelsea. Before relocating to the United States to play college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels, the forward began her career in Chelsea's academy.
