Arsenal sign Germany striker Selina Cerci on free transfer from Hoffenheim

Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Germany international striker Selina Cerci from Hoffenheim on a free transfer, strengthening Renee Slegers’ attacking options as the Gunners chase a first Women’s Super League title since 2019.

The 26-year-old has spent her entire career in the Frauen-Bundesliga, scoring 34 goals in 47 appearances for Hoffenheim and helping the club to a fourth-placed finish in the 2025-26 season. She has also earned 20 caps for Germany, netting five times for her country.

BBC Sport understands Cerci has put pen to paper on a two-year deal at the Emirates, with the club holding an option for a further 12 months. Her arrival is designed to help fill the void left by Beth Mead’s departure to Women’s Super League champions Manchester City earlier this summer.

“It is a big honour for me,” Cerci said. “It didn’t matter which other clubs were interested in me – I wanted to play for Arsenal.”

A career rebuilt after injury heartbreak

Cerci began her career with prolific spells at Werder Bremen and Turbine Potsdam before a cruciate ligament injury in March 2022 ruled her out of that summer’s European Championship and the following year’s World Cup.

She returned to form via a switch to Hoffenheim by way of FC Köln, twice finishing as runner-up in the Bundesliga’s scoring charts with 16 goals. Last season she also developed as a creator, registering nine assists in the league — the joint-second highest tally in the division alongside her new Arsenal team-mate Georgia Stanway, then at Bayern Munich.

Arsenal’s director of women’s football, Clare Wheatley, said: “She’s an instinctive goalscorer with a proven record in the Bundesliga. We believe she’s in a strong position to transition to English football.”

Slegers added: “She has impressive goalscoring numbers and brings good presence, physicality and forward intent. Combined with her strong work ethic, we feel these qualities make her a great addition to our squad.”

Filling the gap left by Mead

Arsenal were the WSL’s second-highest scorers last season, behind only Manchester City, but their title challenge stalled amid a punishing run of fixtures late in the campaign. Mead, 31, had been a mainstay for nine seasons but managed just two league goals last term because of injury before her release and subsequent move to City.

In Cerci, Arsenal have secured a forward entering her prime who has consistently shown a knack for goals, despite never having played for either of German football’s traditional powerhouses in Bayern Munich or Wolfsburg. This will be her first spell outside Germany and her first taste of Champions League football.

Adapting to English football is far from guaranteed for foreign imports, however. Fellow Germany forward Lea Schüller managed only one goal in 11 appearances for Manchester United last season despite arriving with a strong pedigree from the Bundesliga.

Having started slowly in each of the past two seasons, Arsenal will know they cannot afford to do so again if they are to reel in defending champions Manchester City and end their long wait for the WSL crown.