Transfer Centre

Arsenal Women sign USA international defender Emily Fox

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 11 January 2024

Arsenal Women complete the signing of 25-year-old American defender Emily Fox, who becomes the Gunners' first arrival of the January transfer window.

Arsenal Women have announced the signing of American defender Emily Fox on a permanent deal.

The 25-year-old becomes the Gunners' first signing of the January transfer window and arrives in North London after a one-year spell with North Carolina Courage in her native USA.

Fox - who primarily plays as a right-back - will reinforce Jonas Eidevall's defence following the departure of Noelle Maritz, who was transferred to Aston Villa last week.

"It feels amazing to have signed here. When I think of Arsenal, I think of excellence, I think of a global organisation, I think of family," Fox told the official Arsenal website.

"I think of pushing the standards of football and especially in the women's game. It's a huge honour to get the opportunity to represent this club and I'm excited to get started and play in front of our supporters.

Head coach Eidevall added: "We're delighted to bring Emily to Arsenal and I'm sure our supporters will join me in welcoming her to our club. Emily has shown impressive development over recent seasons and her strengths in both phases will make her an important addition to our squad.

In the famous red and white 🦊 pic.twitter.com/UnO7LUYoju
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) January 11, 2024

"At international level, the experience she's built up gives her an excellent foundation to make the transition to English football. Welcome, Emily!"

Finally, Head of Women's Football Clare Wheatley said: "Emily is an experienced international defender and we are very pleased to have added her to our squad.

"Having spent time tracking Emily's career to date, we believe she has all the tools to integrate into the environment here at Arsenal and make a big contribution to us achieving our goals."

Fox - who will wear the number two shirt for her new club - turned out for North Carolina Tar Heels at college level, the same team fellow Gunners Alessia Russo and Lotte Wubben-Moy represented earlier in their careers.

The defender spent one season with the Racing Louisville in the National Women's Soccer League before switching to the Courage last year, registering two assists in 18 NWSL contests.

A 39-cap USA Women international, Fox has won two SheBelieves Cups and one CONCACAF Women's Championship title with her country and started all four of their games at the 2023 World Cup, where the former defending champions lost on penalties to Sweden in the last 16.

Fox could make her debut for Arsenal in Sunday's FA Cup fourth-round clash with Watford before the Gunners return to Women's Super League action at home to Everton on January 20.