Ex-Arsenal star Vivianne Miedema seals three-year switch to Manchester City and hopes ‘best years are still to come’
VIVIANNE MIEDEMA hailed her stunning Manchester City move as the “best fit” for her after joining the WSL giants as a free agent today.
And the former Arsenal star, 27, is hopeful her best years on the pitch are still to come after sealing a three-year move to the Cityzens.
Her contract with her new club will run until the summer of 2027.
The Netherlands all-time record goal scorer had been heavily linked with the Manchester giants following her departure from the Gunners in May, after seven years at the club.
The prolific forward will wear City’s number six shirt previously donned by ex-Cityzens skipper Steph Houghton before her retirement at the end of last season.
Her switch to a team, pipped to the WSL title on goal difference by champions Chelsea last term, is a huge coup for boss Gareth Taylor’s side.
It is also one of the biggest moves in this summer’s transfer window
A window that has also seen London City Lionesses sign Kosovare Asllani, England star Fran Kirby join Brighton, and Mary Earps sign for Paris Saint-Germain after leaving Manchester United.
In an interview for Man City’s web site, Miedema said: “When I first heard Man City were interested, I thought, ‘ooh, that’s really interesting’.
“They’re one of the clubs I’ve always followed to make sure they are doing well.
“I’ve followed their development and with those two points together and the way they play football in the WSL made it, in the end, a pretty easy choice for me.
“Having thought really hard about my future after leaving Arsenal, the main thing that popped up was that I want to be at a team that’s playing good football.
“In women’s football right now City have got a clear philosophy.
“They did really well last season and if I look at the way I want to play, it really suits this.
“In the end it’s obviously a massive bonus that I do stay in the WSL. I think it was the best fit for me.”
Miedema, regarded as one of world’s best strikers, is currently Arsenal’s all-time record scorer in the WSL having netted 126 goals for her old club.
The player, is also currently the all-time top scorer in the WSL having netted 80 goals in the division.
Last season saw Miedema’s game time hampered by injury following her return to match action last October from an 11-month spell out with an anterior cruciate ligament rupture.
She made 14 appearances for the Gunners last term and also underwent minor knee surgery in March which kept her sidelined for several weeks.
If I get back to my best again we can achieve really nice things together.
Vivianne Miedema
During her time with Arsenal, Miedema won four major trophies including a WSL title back in 2019.
And the Dutch forward, who won the Euros in 2017 in a Netherlands side then managed by Sarina Wiegman, hopes to bring her best form to her new team.
Miedema adds: “I’m only 27 and I haven’t played as much football as I have wished over the last two years, but I hope my best years are still to come and I hope that’s here at City.
“I hope to be able to help the team as much as I can do.
“I am just really excited to be part of the team and for the girls to hopefully help me and get me back to my best.
“If I get back to my best again then we can achieve really nice things together.”
Miedema’s Man City move will see her join Netherlands team-mates Jill Roord and Kerstin Casperij at the club.
The forward is due to link up with her national team this month before their Women’s Euros qualifier games against Italy and Norway on 12th and 16th of July.
City Women’s boss Taylor said: “We’re really looking forward to welcoming Viv to City and seeing her flourish over the next three years.
“Our ambition is to compete on the highest stage and for the highest honours, and Viv is aligned to this desire.
“She’s a top talent that I’m excited to work with as she’s a player I’ve always admired. Viv will be a real asset to the team.”