Matildas midfielder Kyra Cooney-Cross has secured a move to English football giants Arsenal off the back of a strong FIFA Women's World Cup campaign.
The 21-year-old Australian completed the switch from Swedish side Hammarby IF Fotbollförening to the North London club on the Women's Super League's deadline day.
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Matildas star Cooney-Cross joins Arsenal after impressive World Cup campaign
Arsenal have signed young Matildas star Cooney-Cross ahead of the 2023-24 WSL campaign.
Cooney-Cross' contract was set to expire in December, with several clubs expected to attempt to pick her up on a free transfer.
However, Arsenal opted to be proactive, paying a notable fee to sign the Australian before she hit the open market.
Sky Sports’ Anton Toloui has reported the fee is around the region of £140,000 (AU$296,000).
North London’s 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 arrival 😉❤️ pic.twitter.com/G0vYDhQ3G1
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) September 14, 2023
The transfer comes off the back of a strong World Cup campaign for Cooney-Cross where she starred for Australia in the midfield, playing all seven matches.
She began her professional football career Down Under with Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers before earning a move overseas to Hammarby in 2022.
"I’m so excited to join this club,” Cooney-Cross said.
"Arsenal just felt right as soon as I heard about the interest. I’m really looking forward to experiencing the atmosphere at Emirates Stadium in front of a big crowd for our first game there this season.
"I can’t wait to get started and help us achieve something big together."
Arsenal's head coach Jonas Eidevall believes she will be an important addition to the midfield.
"Kyra is one of the best young players in world football and we are delighted to have brought her to Arsenal," he said.
"Her passing ability and explosiveness allow her to affect games in a way you rarely see from such a young player, so we firmly believe she will be an excellent addition to our midfield, now and in the future."
Cooney-Cross to link up with Australian teammates Foord and Catley
The Matildas contingent at Arsenal has grown following their latest signing, with Cooney-Cross joining forward Caitlin Foord and defender Steph Catley at the club.
The existing chemistry between the trio will likely benefit the Gunners as they search for their first WSL title since the 2018-19 season.
Both Foord and Catley joined Arsenal in 2020 and have contributed positively since, helping the side break their four-year trophy drought by winning the Continental Cup in March this year.
Cooney-Cross' signature marks the final stage of Arsenal's aggressive recruitment drive this off-season, notably bringing in England star and former Manchester United striker Alessia Russo.
