Arsenal: Former Man Utd defender Ona Batlle joins Gunners on a permanent deal from Barcelona | Football News
Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Ona Batlle from Barcelona.
The 27-year-old joins the north London side on a permanent contract of undisclosed length.
Batlle had re-joined Barca – the club where she started her career – in the summer of 2023 after her contract at Man Utd expired.
Across three seasons back in Spain, she made 114 appearances and scored 14 goals.
“I’m very happy and excited to get going,” she said after the completion of her move to Arsenal.
“Arsenal is one of the biggest clubs in the world, and I can’t wait to feel the joy of playing in front of our supporters at Emirates Stadium alongside so many great players.
The 27-year-old played 114 times after returning to Barcelona in 2023
“I want to win trophies and I feel this is the right place to achieve that.”
Gunners head coach Renee Slegers added: “I’m delighted that we’ve been able to bring Ona to the club.
“She’s a hugely experienced full-back with strong attacking intent and great physical attributes. She’s a winner and we want to go for more wins together.”
Batlle played in the WSL for Man Utd between 2020 and 2023
Batlle spent three years with Man Utd and was part of the squad that finished as runners-up in the 2022/23 FA Cup.
She has 76 senior caps for Spain to her name and won the World Cup with La Roja in 2023.
Arsenal beating their rivals in the transfer market
Sky Sports’ Charlotte Marsh:
“It has been quite the busy summer so far for Arsenal as they look to evolve their squad. There have been high-profile outgoings with the likes of Beth Mead, Katie McCabe leaving, as well as Victoria Pelova and Laia Codina – perhaps not household names but no less important.
“The reality is the teams around them will only be getting stronger. Manchester City will want more depth as they add European football back to their calendar, while Chelsea are a wounded animal after a poor season by their high standards – so much so, McCabe joined them after leaving the Gunners.
“Tottenham have already made a string of impressive signings while Manchester United too will be disappointed to have dropped away from the top three race so easily.
“But Arsenal are arguably leading the way among all of these clubs in terms of transfers.
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Take a look at some of the best goals from Georgia Stanway’s time in the Women’s Super League.
“Batlle comes with bags of experience both in the WSL with Man Utd and Europe, as does Georgia Stanway – the Lionesses star who has arrived from Bayern Munich.
“Then there is a double arrival from the Bundesliga – Geraldine Reuteler from Eintracht Frankfurt and Selina Cerci from Hoffenheim. The question for those two is how quickly they can adapt to WSL football? Arsenal have begun slowly over the past two years and will not want another this season.
“What is interesting – and perhaps unsurprisingly – is all four of these players are 26 or 27 years old. They are entering their prime years, while also having plenty of experience elsewhere.
“It’s clear which direction Arsenal’s transfer strategy is heading and so far, it is being executed flawlessly.”
