Arsenal have announced the signing of forward Mariona Caldentey on a free transfer following the expiration of her contract with Barcelona.
During her decade at Barça, Caldentey secured three Champions League titles and six Liga F championships.
She joins Arsenal as a replacement for their all-time top scorer, Vivianne Miedema, who left the club after her contract ended. Sources indicate that Miedema is likely to join Manchester City, one of Arsenal’s rivals in the Women’s Super League (WSL).
“I’m thrilled to be here,” Caldentey said in a statement. “This is the perfect time for a new challenge, and Arsenal is the ideal club for me. I admire what Arsenal is doing both on and off the pitch. The team’s playing style and the strong mentality being built here are exciting.
“It’s been amazing to see the club’s off-pitch achievements, with fans following the team everywhere and numerous records being broken. I’m eager to get started, help the team win trophies, and entertain our supporters.”
Caldentey ranks fifth on Barça’s all-time scoring list, with 114 goals in 302 competitive matches.
“Mariona is a world-class forward, and we are delighted to bring her to Arsenal,” said manager Jonas Eidevall. “She is a proven winner with experience on the biggest stages, which aligns with our goals at this club. We believe Mariona will be an excellent addition to our squad as we prepare for an exciting new season.”
