Freddie Cardy
Arsenal Women have completed the signing of right-back Emily Fox.
The defender played for North Carolina Courage in the 2023 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season before making the switch to Arsenal, who had been in talks for the 25-year-old since before Christmas.
She was pictured in training with Arsenal on Sunday during the Gunners’ warm-weather training camp in Portugal, as the transfer was somewhat leaked to Arsenal fans.
USWNT right-back, and Arsenal transfer target Emily Fox pictured here in the background during the Gunners' training camp in Portugal ?? Getty pic.twitter.com/HnogKdZit2
— Freddie Cardy (@CardyFreddie) January 7, 2024
Virginia-born Fox has been capped 39 times by the USA, and started all four of their games at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“It feels amazing to have signed here,” said Fox. “When I think of Arsenal, I think of excellence, I think of a global organisation, I think of family. I think of pushing the standards of football and especially in the women’s game. It’s a huge honour to get the opportunity to represent this club and I’m excited to get started and play in front of our supporters.”
Jonas Eidevall said: “We’re delighted to bring Emily to Arsenal and I’m sure our supporters will join me in welcoming her to our club. Emily has shown impressive development over recent seasons and her strengths in both phases will make her an important addition to our squad. At international level, the experience she’s built up gives her an excellent foundation to make the transition to English football. Welcome, Emily!”
Fox played with current Arsenal stars Lotte Wubben-Moy and Alessia Russo in college soccer in the USA for the North Carolina Tar Heels. The right-back set up Russo’s extra time winning goal in the 2019 ACC Women’s Soccer final.
Arsenal confirmed the departure of full-back Noelle Maritz on Saturday, with the Swiss joining Aston Villa for a small fee, with six months remaining on her Arsenal contract. Maritz’s departure created room in Arsenal’s squad for Jonas Eidevall to sign a replacement.
Fox will be Jonas Eidevall’s first choice right-back in the absence of the injured Laura Wienroither, who remains sidelined after rupturing her ACL last season. She will wear the number two shirt for Arsenal.
Arsenal’s Head of Women’s Football, Clare Wheatley, said: “Emily is an experienced international defender and we are very pleased to have added her to our squad. Having spent time tracking Emily’s career to date, we believe she has all the tools to integrate into the environment here at Arsenal and make a big contribution to us achieving our goals.”
The deal is subject to the completion of regulatory processes.
