Arsenal sign Sweden defender Amanda Ilestedt
- Arsenal complete first new signing of the summer
- Amanda Ilestedt joins on a free transfer after leaving PSG
- Sweden international replaces departed Rafaelle Souza for the Gunners
By Emily Keogh
Arsenal have made their first signing of the summer in the form of Sweden centre-back Amanda Ilestedt, who now reunites with Jonas Eidevall after previously working together at Rosengard.
The free transfer follows Ilestedt's recent exit from Paris Saint-Germain after after a two-year stint in the French capital and her arrival boosts Arsenal's defensive ranks after Rafaelle Souza left.
With plenty of Champions League experience under her belt, the 30-year-old will also play a crucial role next season given the long-term absence of Leah Williamson due to an ACL injury.
"I'm really excited and happy to be here," Ilestedt said. "My goal is to win titles, and this is a great club with great players and fantastic facilities, so I believe this is the right place for me to achieve that.
"There is a real sense of momentum around this club, and the support has been wonderful – I can't wait to walk out onto the pitch in the Arsenal kit," she added.
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Ilestedt began her professional career with Rosengard in 2009, where she remained for eight years, winning five Damallsvenskan league titles as well as one Swedish Cup and three Swedish Super Club titles. Two of those titles were under Eidevall.
She moved to Germany in 2017, first with Turbine Potsdam, before signing for Bayern Munich in 2019, ending her spell there side by helping the club win the Frauen Bundesliga for the first time in five years. Two seasons with PSG then yielded one Coupe de France.
Eidevall commented on the transfer, "I'm delighted that Amanda has joined us here at Arsenal. She brings extensive international experience, and I believe she has a great mix of presence and technical ability, making her an ideal fit for our squad. I enjoyed working with Amanda during our time in Sweden and am looking forward to coaching her here at Arsenal too."
Ilestedt has an impressive international career, earning 64 caps at international level, representing Sweden in two European Championships and two Women's World Cups, finishing third with the side in the latter in 2019. She also a silver medalists at the 2016 Olympics and will be heading her third World Cup with her country in New Zealand and Australia next month.