Matildas star Kyra Cooney-Cross has signed with English football powerhouse Arsenal.
The 21-year-old has put pen to paper, after women’s football journalist Rich Laverty tweeted that Cooney-Cross was in London and had just “had her medical”.
Currently playing with Swedish club Hammarby, Cooney-Cross had a breakout performance for the Matildas in the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup and played in every game for Australia.
The defensive midfielder will join fellow Matildas Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley at Arsenal, with Cooney-Cross also attracting interest from Chelsea and Manchester United.
However, Arsenal acted quickly to sign Cooney-Cross before she became a free agent in January when her contract expired and agreed to a £140,000 ($272,000) transfer fee with Hammarby.
Cooney-Cross is expected to compete with Switzerland international Lia Walti for a place in the Arsenal starting side as the Gunners end their wait for another number six and holding midfielder.
Leading into the World Cup, Cooney-Cross and Matildas centre-back Clare Hunt appeared the most likely to attract interest from top European football clubs.
Recent reports have emerged that Hunt, currently playing for Western Sydney Wanderers in the A-League Women competition, is expected to sign with French club Paris Saint-Germain.
Matildas shootout hero Cortnee Vine was also expected to move on from current club Sydney FC, however she re-signed with the club only 10 days after scoring the winning penalty against France to take the Matildas to their first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup semi-final.
“I’ve chosen to stay here for multiple reasons but the A-League is a great league,” Vine said when she re-signed with Sydney FC.
“It pushes me to be better. I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in now if it wasn’t for the A-League.
“It’s just going to continue to get better and better.”
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