On September 5, **Arsenal**announced that they had agreed on a contract extension for Alessia Russo.
The striker enjoyed European success with club and country in 2025, making it the most fruitful year of her career. This alliance between Russo and the Gunners will help both parties push for their goals.
Over the summer, **Arsenal**paid a world-record £1 million fee to buy **Olivia Smith**from Liverpool. After lifting the Champions League trophy, this move is an affirmation of their intent to be the best.
Claire Wheatley, Director of Football, said that: “Alessia is one of the best strikers in world football and we’re thrilled to have agreed a new, long-term contract with her.
“We are all determined to bring more silverware to this club and keeping players like Alessia at the club is crucial to achieving that.”
Coach **Renee Slegers**reacted to this news, sharing her experience of working with the 26-year-old.
“Alessia is a really important part of our group and I’m so pleased that she has signed a new deal here. As a striker, Alessia’s goals often take the spotlight, but she brings so much more to our group.
“She’s a selfless player, working so hard for the team. She contributes so much to our team culture.”
**Arsenal**had publicly missed out on her signature in 2023, but Russo was an asset worth fighting for.
Arsenal’s striker ascends to stardom
Only weeks before Russo won her first Euros title with **England**in July 2022, the striker turned down a contract extension at Man United. **Arsenal**attempted to jump the gun and get her services for a world record fee in the region of £500,000 in January 2023, but the Red Devils resisted the offer.
It was with good reason. Russo netted 10 goals in 20 league fixtures as **Man United**fell just two points short of the Women's Super League title by the end of May. She would depart on a free transfer to start life in North London, and the loss of the Red Devils would be the gain of Arsenal.
She scored 16 times in 31 appearances across all competitions in the 2023/24 campaign, picking up the Women's League Cup title on the way with a 1-0 win over Chelsea. Better would be to come.
Last term, she hit hot form in front of goal as soon as Slegers stepped into the dugout, slotting seven goals in the Dutchwoman's first seven WSL matches as head coach. Her star striker scored five more times in the division to share the Golden Boot Award with Khadija Shaw as the joint top scorer.
In the Champions League, she scored eight times across 15 games, contributing with strikes against Real Madrid and **Lyon**on the way to the final in Lisbon.
Voted FWA Women's Footballer of the Year and nominated for the WSL Team of the Year, it was a campaign of resounding success for Russo.
The striker has signed a deal for the long term and there should be more good times to come.