Jordan Nobbs joins Aston Villa after 12 years at Arsenal

Aston Villa have completed the signing of England midfielder Jordan Nobbs, who leaves Arsenal after winning 12 trophies in just over 12 years with the Gunners.

Nobbs, who has suffered a number of injury problems in recent years and missed both the 2019 World Cup and Euro 2022, has signed an 18-month contract with Villa until 2024. The deal also includes a 12-month option to extend it until the end of the 2024/25 WSL season.

Nobbs will wear the number 88 shirt for Villa, a nod to the number eight she wore for Arsenal for so many years – Villa’s number eight is already occupied by top scorer Rachel Daly.

“This is a big signing for us and Jordan is one of the country’s most decorated footballers,” Villa boss Carla Ward said of the news.

“She’s a winner and will bring a wealth of experience that her new teammates will thrive off. We’re delighted to secure her signature and we hope this move can help the football club as well as cement her place back in the international setup.”

Nobbs had increasingly become a fringe player at Arsenal, starting only three times in the WSL prior to the winter break and making the majority of her appearances in all competitions off the bench.

With one eye on the World Cup in July, the chance for an extended run of starts in an ambitious Villa side aiming for a top half finish could be exactly what she needs to force her way back into Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses squad ahead of the tournament.

Nobbs has played for England as recently as last season and scored in the 20-0 drubbing of Latvia.