Arsenal have completed the free transfer of Spain forward Mariona Caldentey from Barcelona. The 28-year-old leaves the Catalan club after a decade-long spell in which she won 25 trophies, including three Champions League titles.
Caldentey, who scored 114 goals in 302 appearances for Barcelona, has been handed the No 8 shirt. Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall described her as a 'world-class forward' and a 'winner with proven experience of excelling on the biggest stage'.
The increased frequency of matches at the Emirates Stadium is understood to have been a key factor in her decision. Caldentey said: 'This is the right time for a new challenge for me and Arsenal is the perfect place. I love the way we want to play as a team and I think there’s a strong mentality building here.'
Arsenal finished third in the Women's Super League last season and will learn their Champions League qualifying opponents on Friday.
