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Arsenal Women have confirmed that 18-year-old striker Jessie Gale has signed her first professional contract with the club, marking a major step forward in her rapidly rising career.
Gale joined Arsenal’s academy from Charlton Athletic in January 2024 at the age of 17 and quickly became a standout performer for the club’s Under-21 team. Her contributions were instrumental in helping Arsenal win the FIFA Youth Cup in Zurich in May 2024 and the PGA League Under-21 Division One title for the 2024/25 season.
On the international stage, the England youth international also impressed, netting three goals and providing an assist in five appearances during England’s Under-19 European Championship qualifiers.
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During the 2024/25 campaign, Gale further developed her game through a dual-registration loan with Watford in the FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division. There, she gained senior-level experience, scoring seven goals and registering five assists in 21 appearances. Her versatility, intelligence, and goal-scoring instinct earned her praise from Arsenal’s coaching staff.
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Jessie Gale (Image credit: Getty Images)
Director of Women’s Football Clare Wheatley hailed Gale as a “key part” of the club’s Under-21 setup. “She has shown real dedication to developing as a footballer, and we’re excited to see how she continues to grow,” Wheatley said.
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Speaking after signing her contract, Gale expressed her excitement at the opportunity. “I’m delighted to sign my first professional contract here at Arsenal,” she said. “This is a special club with great history and ambitions for the future, and it’s incredible to be part of that. I’ve had the opportunity to train alongside the first team as well as gaining experience elsewhere, and now I’m looking forward to continuing to work hard to develop and progress as a player.”
Head of Player Development James Honeyman praised Gale’s mindset and maturity: “Since joining Arsenal, Jessie has given everything to developing not only as a footballer but as a person. She takes every opportunity that comes her way. Jessie has a big future ahead of her, and we look forward to seeing her develop at Arsenal.”
Although she has yet to make her official senior debut, Gale featured in a behind-closed-doors friendly against West Ham, where she reportedly made her unofficial first-team bow in a 5–1 win. With pre-season preparations underway, the 18-year-old could earn further opportunities to impress head coach Renée Slegers and break into the senior squad.
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