Kyra Cooney-Cross joins the club

We are delighted to announce the signing of Kyra Cooney-Cross on a permanent deal.

The 21-year-old Australian international midfielder joins us from Hammarby IF in Sweden.

Kyra will wear the No.32 jersey here at Arsenal.

Born in Herston, Australia on 15 February 2002, Kyra began her professional career at Melbourne Victory, where she made her competitive debut at the age of just 15.

Kyra went on to make 44 appearances for Melbourne Victory across two spells with the club, either side of a season-long stint at Western Sydney Wanderers in the 2019/20 season. She won the Australian league title in 2020/21 and 2021/22 with Melbourne Victory.

A move to Hammarby IF in the Swedish Damallsvenskan followed in 2022, with Kyra making 30 appearances for the club and helping the team to win the Swedish Cup in the 2022/23 season.

At international level, Kyra made her Australia debut versus Denmark in June 2021 and has now amassed 39 caps for her country. She played a key role in Australia’s run to the semi-finals of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, starting all seven of the Matildas’ matches as they finished fourth in front of home supporters.

“I’m so excited to join this club,” said Kyra. “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.”

Head Coach Jonas Eidevall said: “Kyra is one of the best young players in world football and we are delighted to have brought her to Arsenal. 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.”

Head of Women’s Football Clare Wheatley said: “We are so pleased to have brought Kyra to our club. At the age of 21, she already has impressive experience at domestic and international level and we believe she has huge potential for future development. Together with our supporters, we welcome Kyra to the Arsenal family and look forward to seeing her play in the red and white.”

The transfer is subject to the completion of regulatory processes.

13 members of our Women's first team have been called up for international duty in September.

Alessia Russo has been called up to the England squad as they prepare for their first matches in the inaugural UEFA Women’s Nations League.

Sarina Wiegman confirmed that Russo has been granted a few extra days of rest and will not be involved against Scotland (September 22), but our number 23 should be in action against the Netherlands (September 26).

Lotte Wubben-Moy was called up to the Lionesses’ camp but withdrew through injury. Beth Mead and Leah Williamson continue their recovery from respective knee injuries.

Before a match-up with England, Victoria Pelova and the Netherlands’s first test in Group A is Belgium on September 22

Manuela Zinsberger is back between the sticks for Austria for their opening Nations League game against Frida Maanum’s Norway. Austria will then face France in their second Group B fixture on September 26, while Norway meet Portugal.

In Group C, Kathrine Kuhl joins her Danish teammates for matches against Germany (September 22) and Wales (September 26).

Amanda Ilestedt, Stina Blackstenius and Lina Hurtig have all been called up for Sweden as they play recent World Cup winners, Spain on Friday night (September 22). The Swedes will close their international break with a clash against Italy on September 26.

Elsewhere in Group D, Lia Walti and Noelle Maritz will be in action for Switzerland as they tackle Italy (September 22) and Spain (September 26).

Fresh from their World Cup debut, Katie McCabe will once again captain Ireland in their Nations League B clashes with Northern Ireland (September 23) and Hungary (September 26).

Outside of Nations League action, Cloe Lacasse and Sabrina D’Angelo are set to feature for Canada with a critical double header against Jamaica in CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying on September 22 and September 26. Only one side can qualify for the Olympic Games in Paris next year.