Arsenal have confirmed that Jessie Gale has joined [WSL](https://womenfootball.blog/womens-super-league-table-standings/) 2 side Portsmouth for the 2025/26 season. According to reports, loan deals for Cecily Wellesley-Smith and Maddy Earl are also in the works.
The Gunners take the development of their young players very seriously. They have already sent Michelle Agyemang (Brighton), Rosa Kafaji (Brighton), Naomi Williams (Bristol City), and Laila Harbert (Portland Thorns) out on loan to gain valuable experience.
Jessie Gale is a 19-year-old striker who joined the Arsenal Academy in January 2024 at the age of 17. She featured in the U21 squad that won the FIFA Youth Cup in Zurich in May 2024, as well as the 2024/25 PGA League Under-21 Division One title.
Last season, Gale was on a dual-registration agreement with Watford in the FAWNL, where she made 21 appearances, scoring seven goals and providing five assists.
Cecily Wellesley-Smith has attracted interest from Leicester City for a possible loan move. The 18-year-old defender recently signed her first professional contract with Arsenal, having joined the club in August 2024 after progressing through the youth ranks at Oxford United.
She spent last season on dual-registration with Oxford United, making a total of 16 appearances. “I’m so proud to sign my first professional contract with Arsenal,” said Cecily.
“During my time here so far, I’ve loved learning from some of the best players and staff in the game and gaining an understanding of what it means to represent this great club. I’m looking forward to continuing to work hard in order to keep progressing and building as I begin my journey in the professional game.”
Earlier this year, in January, Maddy Earl signed her first professional deal with Arsenal. The attacking midfielder spent the first half of the 2024/25 season on dual-registration with Bristol City before returning to Arsenal to continue her development.
Earl has been with Arsenal since the age of eight and has won multiple trophies with the youth teams, most recently the Blue Stars/FIFA Youth Cup in Zurich with the U21s.
Source: [Arsenal](https://www.arsenal.com/news/jessie-gale-joins-portsmouth-loan)