Arsenal left-back Jenna Nighswonger has returned to the club after her loan spell at Aston Villa for the second half of the 2025-26 season.
Nighswonger joined the Gunners in January 2025 from Gotham but immediately found herself on the periphery of Renee Slegers’ plans and had initially wanted to leave on loan during the summer of 2025.
However, Arsenal held onto her until January when they knew that Smilla Holmberg could join from Hammarby. At that point, Nighswonger joined Aston Villa on loan.
There was an option (not an obligation) to buy for Villa included in the deal but even after making five starts and three further sub appearances in the WSL, the option to buy has not been activated and she returns to Arsenal for now.
Villa released a statement on Twitter saying,’The Club can confirm that Jenna Nighswonger has returned to @ArsenalWFC following the conclusion of her loan spell with Aston Villa. Everyone at Aston Villa would like to thank Jenna for her contribution during her time at the Club and wish her every success for the future!’