Manchester City got their transfer window off to a flying start with the signing of Netherlands international Vivianne Miedema.
The 27-year-old forward joins City on free transfer and signed a three year deal after seven seasons at Arsenal although recent seasons have seen her play fewer games than she would like due to injury.
The highly experienced striker is the record goalscorer in the Barclays Women’s Super League with 80 goals, and is also record goalscorer for the Netherlands with 95 – more than any player across the men’s and women’s teams.
Miedema will wear the number 6 shirt, which was vacated by former club captain Steph Houghton following her retirement, and joins fellow Dutch team mates Jill Roord and Kerstin Casparij at the club where she will provide extra firepower to a City side that felt the loss to injury of Khadija Shaw during the crucial run-in last season.
Miedema said: “The reason I chose City is because they have the same ambitions as me. They want to win the league and titles.
“Looking to the future, I’ve always said I want to play with best players in the world and I think City have got that.
“I haven’t played as much football as I would have wished over the past two years, but I think and hope my best years are still to come.
“I hope I’m going to be able to help the team as much as I can do.
“I am just really excited to be part of the team and for the girls to hopefully help me and get me back to my best. If I get back to my best again then we can achieve really nice things together.”
“I do think this is the place to be right now. In the end, it was an easy choice for me. I want to challenge myself every day in training, but also every single week in the games we play.”
Manchester City Women Managing Director Charlotte O’Neill added: “Our North Star is to become the best women’s sporting organisation in the world, and key to achieving our ambitions, on and off the pitch, is to recruit, retain and develop the world’s best players and consistently challenge for major titles.
“Viv’s signing is very much part of that plan, and we’re delighted to be bringing another icon of women’s football to the Joie Stadium for our fans.”
Head Coach Gareth Taylor continued: “We’re really looking forward to welcoming Viv to City and seeing her flourish over the next three years.
“Our ambition is to compete on the highest stage and for the highest honours, and Viv is aligned to this desire.
“She’s a top talent that I’m excited to work with as she’s a player I’ve always admired. Viv will be a real asset to the team.”
Miedema will link up with her country for UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 qualifying matches against Italy and Norway before joining up with City for pre-season training at the end of July and the first-ever Perth International Football Cup in preparation for the 2024-25 season.