Chloe Kelly joins Arsenal on loan from WSL rivals Man City | OneFootball

Chloe Kelly has completed a deadline day loan from Manchester City to former club Arsenal.

Kelly, England's European Championship hero in 2022, had fallen badly out of favour in the blue half of Manchester and will now finish the 2024/25 campaign wearing red instead, at which point her contract with City will expire.

The 27-year-old rebuffed interest from Brighton & Hove Albion to seal her move, although late Arsenal interest came as a surprise after it initially looked as Manchester United would sign her. Kelly has a settled personal life in the north west but was born and raised in the capital, joining Arsenal's academy ranks as a youngster and making her first-team debut aged 17 in 2015.

"Chloe is an exciting attacking player and will be a great addition to our squad as we approach the second half of the season," said Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers.

"She's direct and explosive, with huge natural talent and ability. We're all looking forward to working with Chloe as an Arsenal player in the coming months."

Kelly had taken to social media on Wednesday evening to express her frustration at the situation she found herself in at City, initially blocking her wishes to leave the club.

"With the Euros fast approaching, this summer is a huge one and I want to be in a position to give it my best shot to represent my country," she said in that post.

"However, to be dictated whom I can and can't join with only four months left of the football season is having a huge impact on not only my career by my mental wellbeing."

Full-back Laura Wienroither has also joined Manchester City on loan from Arsenal.