Arsenal Secure Free Transfer of German Forward Selina Cerci

Arsenal have confirmed the signing of German forward Selina Cerci from Hoffenheim on a free transfer.

The 26‑year‑old has spent her entire career in the Frauen‑Bundesliga, scoring 34 goals in 47 appearances for Hoffenheim and helping the club to a fourth‑place finish in the 2025‑26 season.

She has earned 20 caps for Germany, scoring five goals, and will help fill the void left by Beth Mead’s departure to Women’s Super League champions Manchester City earlier this summer.

BBC Sport understands Cerci has signed a two‑year contract with an option for a further 12 months.

“It is a big honour for me,” Cerci said. “It didn’t matter which other clubs were interested in me – I wanted to play for Arsenal.”

After beginning her career with prolific spells at Werder Bremen and Turbine Potsdam, Cerci suffered a cruciate ligament injury in March 2022 that ruled her out of that year’s Women’s Euros and the Women’s World Cup a year later.

A move to Hoffenheim, initially on loan from FC Köln, followed and there she returned to form, finishing second in the league’s top‑scorers list twice with 16 goals.

“She’s an instinctive goalscorer with a proven record in the Bundesliga,” said Arsenal director of women’s football Clare Wheatley. “We believe she’s in a strong position to transition to English football.”

Last season Cerci increased her contribution by adding assists, providing nine in the league – a joint‑second‑most tally in the division, shared with new Arsenal teammate Georgia Stanway, who was then at Bayern Munich.

“[Selina] has impressive goalscoring numbers and brings good presence, physicality and forward intent,” added manager Renée Slegers. “Combined with her strong work ethic, we feel these qualities make her a great addition to our squad.”

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