Arsenal strengthen attacking ranks with Victoria Pelova becoming the WSL side’s first signing of 2023
VICTORIA PELOVA has swapped Ajax for Arsenal – ending speculation linking her with a winter transfer to the WSL side.
The club have confirmed the attacking midfielder’s move on a permanent deal, although the length of her contract has not been disclosed.
And Arsenal, who play league leaders Chelsea at the Emirates on January 15, say the deal is subject to the “completion of regulatory processes”.
Of her switch to the Gunners, the Netherlands player, who began her professional career at Dutch side ADO Den Haag in 2016, said: “I’m delighted to have signed for Arsenal.
“I’ve always admired this club and dreamt of following in the footsteps of some of the great Dutch players who have worn the shirt.
“I can’t wait to get going and start contributing to the team.”
Pelova’s arrival comes just under a month after Gunners boss Jonas Eidevall described this year’s January transfer window as “a very important one” for this title-chasing team.
Earlier this season the club suffered fitness blows within their attacking ranks.
Forwards Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema both sustained anterior cruciate ligament injuries in November and December.
Both Gunners stars played significant roles in last term’s hotly contested title battle, with Arsenal finishing just one point behind league champions Chelsea.
Miedema netted 14 goals in 22 top tier games for the North London giants last term.
Last March she became the first WSL player to reach 100 goal contributions in the league.
Meanwhile, Mead netted 11 goals and eight assists in 22 top-flight matches for the club last season.
In Pelova the Gunners have signed a forward who has netted three goals and two assists in eight appearances in the Netherlands’ top-flight this campaign.
The player, who has 31 senior international caps, was also part of the Dutch squad that reached the 2019 Women’s World Cup finals – won by the United States
And last year she helped her national side reach the Euro quarter-finals, coming on as a substitute in three matches and starting in the Netherlands’ exit to France.
At club level she has scored 11 goals in 66 appearances for Ajax, helping them to two KNVB trophy wins in 2019 and last year.
They also won the Eredivisie Cup trophy in 2021.
Arsenal gaffer Eidevall said: “Victoria is one of the most exciting young players in the game.
“She will bring added dynamism and energy to our midfield.
“I’m looking forward to working with her and I think our supporters are going to love watching her in an Arsenal shirt.”
Gunners head of women’s football Clare Wheatley added: “Victoria is one of the best young talents in European football and someone we have been tracking for some time.
“She will be an exciting addition to our squad and I look forward to watching her link up with her team-mates soon.”