Arsenal Add Elisa de Almeida in Deadline-Day PSG Deal

Arsenal have completed the deadline-day signing of France defender Elisa de Almeida from Paris Saint-Germain, adding an experienced and versatile player to their Women's Super League squad. BBC Sport reported that sources in France put the transfer fee at about £550,000, while De Almeida is understood to have agreed a three-year contract.

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The 28-year-old becomes Arsenal's eighth arrival of the summer transfer window. According to the BBC, she emerged as a priority late in the window because of injuries in defense. De Almeida can operate at center-back, where Arsenal currently have only three players available for the opening of the season.

That shortage includes the absence of young England defender Katie Reid, who is recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. The BBC reported that Reid is not expected to return before November, making De Almeida's arrival an immediate reinforcement as well as a longer-term addition.

De Almeida joins after five years with PSG, where she made more than 154 appearances and played in the Women's Champions League. Her entire senior club career has been spent in France. She represented Paris FC and Montpellier before moving to PSG, building the domestic and European experience Arsenal have now added to their back line.

At international level, De Almeida has made 52 appearances for France. She was selected for the country's squad at the 2023 Women's World Cup and Euro 2025. Arsenal manager Renee Slegers highlighted the defender's composure, mobility and experience after the deal was announced, saying she was pleased to add De Almeida to the squad.

The move continues a busy recruitment period for Arsenal, who are seeking their first WSL title since 2019. Their other summer additions include England midfielder Georgia Stanway and Spain full-back Ona Batlle. Arsenal begin their league season away to Brighton on Sunday, September 6, with kickoff scheduled for 12:00 BST.