It's finally official! USWNT star Emily Fox announced as an Arsenal player days after being spotted in the background of the Gunners' training pictures

Fox was fantastic for the Courage in 2023 to help the club reach the NWSL play-offs, making GOAL's team of the season as a result, but she has left the club after just one year to sign for Arsenal in the Women's Super League. It's a move that has been rumoured for some time, with several reports emerging about the transfer before Fox was spotted in the background of the Gunners' training photos earlier this week.

Speaking upon the announcement of the move, Fox said: "It feels amazing to have signed here. When I think of Arsenal, I think of excellence, I think of a global organization, 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."

Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall added: "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."

Fox, who can play on either side of the defence, will add necessary depth to the Arsenal squad in the full-back department as the Gunners battle for the WSL title. Right-back Noelle Maritz joined Aston Villa earlier this month while Laura Wienroither remains sidelined with an ACL injury she suffered at the end of last season. That said, Arsenal will lose Fox for several weeks when the USWNT compete in the CONCACAF W Gold Cup, which kicks off on February 20.

Fox debuted for her country back in 2018, when she was still in college, and will become the third USWNT star to play for Arsenal in the WSL era, following in the footsteps of Heather O'Reilly and Tobin Heath.

Fox could make her Arsenal debut on Sunday against Watford in the FA Cup. If not, it's likely she will take to the field for the first time for the Gunners next weekend, when Everton are in town as the WSL resumes. She will wear the No.2 shirt for the club.