Released Arsenal star signs for new club | OneFootball

Amanda Ilestedt has joined Eintracht Frankfurt on a free transfer following her release from Arsenal, signing a contract until 2028 with the Frauen‑Bundesliga club.

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The 32‑year‑old centre‑back returned from maternity leave in January and featured in Arsenal’s late‑season push before being named in Sweden’s squad for this summer’s European Championship.

Her 78th international cap came in the 2‑0 group stage win against Poland.

Frankfurt head coach Niko Arnautis welcomed the signing, saying: “Amanda has played for many top clubs, knows very well how to win games, and brings with her an outstanding personality. She will help our team enormously with her experience and is a player our younger players, in particular, can look up to.”

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Ilestedt, who previously played in Germany for Turbine Potsdam and Bayern Munich before spells at Paris Saint‑Germain and then Arsenal, said: “I’m coming here to win games and win titles. At the same time, I want to use my experience to help the team and give it my all on the pitch so we can be successful together.”

Ilestedt joined Arsenal from PSG in 2023 after an impressive World Cup where she was Sweden’s joint‑top scorer from centre‑back.

She went on to make 23 appearances and scored three goals during her debut season, contributing to Arsenal’s Conti Cup triumph.

Known for her dominance in the air and composed defending, she quickly became a reliable figure in the squad before stepping away for the birth of her daughter, Mila, in August 2024.

Her move to Frankfurt comes at a time when the German club have lost several key players, including Sara Doorsoun, who signed for Angel City FC, Sophia Kleinherne, who signed for Wolfsburg, and Barbara Dunst, who signed for Bayern Munich, leaving Ilestedt to add both experience and leadership to their defence.