Arsenal have completed a deadline-day move for French defender Elisa De Almeida from Paris Saint-Germain.
Reports in France value the deal at about £550,000, making her the Women’s Super League club’s eighth signing of the summer.
She is understood to have agreed a three-year contract and became a late-window priority amid injuries in defence.
The adaptable 28-year-old can operate at centre-back, an area where Arsenal have only three players available for the start of the season.
Young England centre-back Katie Reid is recovering from an ACL injury and is not expected to return before November.
De Almeida said joining a club of Arsenal’s stature is a proud moment after growing up watching the Gunners and seeing French players wear the shirt. She added she can’t wait to play in front of the fans and experience the atmosphere they create.
She spent five years at PSG, making more than 154 appearances and featuring in the Women’s Champions League.
Her entire club career has been in France, with spells at Paris FC and Montpellier before joining PSG.
Internationally, De Almeida has 52 caps for France and was part of the squads for the 2023 Women’s World Cup and Euro 2025.
Arsenal manager Renee Slegers welcomed the signing, highlighting De Almeida’s composure, mobility and experience, and said she looks forward to working with her.
Chasing a first WSL title since 2019, the Gunners have also reinforced this summer with England midfielder Georgia Stanway and Spain full-back Ona Batlle.
Slegers’ side open their season away to Brighton on Sunday, 6 September (12:00 BST).